What is FastPitch?

In three minutes entrepreneurs pitch their business or business concepts to a group of judges from the business and investment community.

There are very creative and interesting concepts from people in the Region and at FastPitch they can showcase those ideas and learn what it takes to advance them.

Who: Passionate entrepreneurs in all phases of business, including startup or pre-startup; idea stage. High school seniors and college-age students welcome.

When: Wednesday, June 19, 2013, 3:30 p.m. (initial presentations), 5:30 p.m. (final presentations; open to public)

Where: NIU Outreach Center-Rockford, 8500 E. State Street

Why: To win cash prizes, feedback & exposure!

Deadline to register: June 4, 2013

In business, “three strikes” is generous. If you can’t pitch your product, service or concept in three minutes — you’re outta there!

The 7th Annual Stateline FastPitch Competition is your chance to prove the potential of your business idea…meet people who can help you succeed…maybe even win a cash prize! Competitors will have three minutes max to "hit it out of the park" before a panel of judges from the business and investment community. Verbal presentations only—no PowerPoint.

Open with a hook that grabs attention. Deliver your pitch with energy and passion. Be creative…and hit it out of the park!

Top prize will be awarded $5,000. There will also be a separate student category/prize.

All competitors will receive invaluable feedback, a fun experience and valuable exposure to investors, business leaders, potential mentors and media.

If you are interested in participating in the Stateline FastPitch Competition, please download documents number one and two below (number three is optional). Number one is the Contestant Form that needs to be completed and submitted along with your initial presentation. Please note this is just your preliminary submission to introduce your idea; it can be updated in the future. Number two is the Six Key Questions you'll need to answer regarding your idea, service, product, etc. Number three is our official Competition Flyer (optional). Please be patient...some files are large and will take a short time to download.

1. Contestant Form
2. Six Key Questions
3. Competition Flyer

In 2013 we are once again partnering with four neighboring counties in WI, which translates into two more opportunities for competing. These two events will take place in Racine & Kenosha (August 21, 2013) and Rock & Walworth (Fall 2013). Please visit www.EIGERlab.org for updates.

As in past, we are offering FastPitch Presentation Training on Tuesday, 6/11 and Thursday, 6/13 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. We have found that the people that attend the Presentation Training feel more confident, their presentation is more concise and they are able to deliver it within the allotted three minute timeframe. There is a $10 fee for the presentation training. Please check the website eigerlab.org for additional information.

2012 Winners

1st Place 

Michael Verhulst, MySecureDelivery

2nd Place 

Ed Whittington, The "RAT"

3rd Place 

Brooke Moore, miPact

Student Category Winner

Sean Dwyer, Ink Again

Official article from the Rockford Register Star on the 2012 winners

2012 FastPitch winner, Michael Verhulst, MySecureDelivery