The competition allows students and community members to pitch their ideas to judges for a chance to win one of eight different $1,000 prizes. Not only will participants have the opportunity to win money, but also they will get valuable feedback on their idea and potentially meet experts in entrepreneurship that will help improve their pitch and develop their idea into a business.

River Pitch is a joint effort of the Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute (AEI) and EDGE Entrepreneurship Center, The University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Business, the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama and the City of Tuscaloosa.

Registration is required and available on the AEI’s website at aei.culverhouse.ua.edu

“Any solid business idea is worth bringing to River Pitch,” said Dr. Theresa Welbourne, executive director of the Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute and EDGE. “Last year was our largest River Pitch event, and from that we had several new businesses start and accelerate. Additionally, with the opening of the new EDGE in January 2019, there will be even more opportunities for entrepreneurs.”

The competition is a part of the Tuscaloosa area’s celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week, which takes place Nov. 12-18. In addition to River Pitch, other opportunities include:

• Monday, November 12^th is Open Pitch Practice
• Tuesday, November 13^th is Business After Hours
• Thursday, November 15^th is Find the Funding

Global Entrepreneurship Week aims to inspire millions in 170 countries to engage in entrepreneurial activity. The week connects those looking to start their own business with potential collaborators, mentors, and investors.

Think you’ve got a great idea? The 2018 River Pitch Business Idea Competition is an event for students and community members alike to come pitch their ideas in just 3 minutes. You can win $1,000, get valuable feedback on your idea and maybe meet someone who can help you improve your pitch and develop your idea into a business. Interested in participating but think you’ll need some time to practice? AEI is hosting a plethora of workshops to help you prepare for the event. More information is available here.

The River Pitch Competition is part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, which runs November 12-18. During one week each November, thousands of events and competitions in 160 countries inspire millions to engage in entrepreneurial activity while connecting them to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors. Powered by the Kauffman Foundation, the initiative is supported by dozens of world leaders and a network of more than 15,000 partner organizations.