Hey Tucson change makers and risk takers! Do you have a FOOD, FASHION, or FABRIC “moonshot” idea or an existing business you’d like to expand? Even just a product or business idea you've scribbled down on a napkin? 

If you answered YES, please join us for the Tucson AZ Pioneer Pitch competition for entrepreneurs (aka, a showcase like you see on ABC's Shark Tank)!
Participation in this event is FREE!
  • You'll be competing to win cash prizes, scholarships, and more!
  • In addition, you'll get feedback from top industry experts and exposure for your business or product.
  • You'll meet other risk-taking entrepreneurs in your area.

Also, the first place winner of the Tucson Pioneer Pitch Competition will go on to compete in our state-wide finals competition for a $10,000 cash prize. The event, which also honors successful Moonshot entrepreneurs, will be held in Flagstaff in July 2023.

If you're interested in participating, please read the event and application expectations below.
AZ Pioneer Pitch Competition & Training Schedule (Please Review Carefully)
  • February 6: Applications Open
  • March 14: Online Orientation/Prep Session (Optional) - 12pm-1pm - PLEASE REGISTER HERE
  • March 16: Online Orientation/Prep Session (Optional) - 6pm-7pm - PLEASE REGISTER HERE
  • March 24: Applications Close, midnight, AZ time/MST
  • March 29: Applicants notified of participation
  • April 14: Happy Hour – Meet/Greet (Optional) | Location: Suprema Works, 319 W Simpson St, Tucson, AZ 85701 | Refreshments provided. | Time: 5-7pm AZ time/MT
  • April 15: Pitch Training & Prep (Required): Location: Pima Community College Downtown Campus, Rms TBD| Time: 9:30am-2pm AZ time/MT (Lunch on your own from Noon – 1:00pm)
  • April 15: Finalists advance to afternoon Finals, 2:30pm AZ time/MT
  • April 15: AZ Pioneer Pitch Final Competition (Required) | Location:  Pima Community College Downtown Campus | Time:  3-5pm AZ time/MT
 
Other Requirements:
  • The winning team will attend the July 28, 2023 State Pioneer Pitch Finals in Flagstaff, AZ.  Limited travel and hotel expenses will be paid for by the AZ Pioneer Pitch organization. 
  • Participate in Promotion. We need everyone’s support to spread the word and get as many eyes on all of the wonderful companies in Arizona. As a participant in the pitch competition we will be relying on you to share with your friends and networks and encourage them to participate in the AZ Pioneer Pitch.  Winners will be asked to participate in interviews, press, and other follow-up stories.
HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, candidates must submit an online application BELOW. Applicants will need to explain their start-up idea, what they feel their unique selling proposition is, and why their product is better than what is already on the market.

Applications are due by March 24, 2023, midnight AZ time/MT.
Many thanks to our wonderful sponsors!

    Tucson Application

    Please review, complete, and submit the application below.
    LEGAL DISCLAIMERS: The Annual AZ Pioneer Pitch does not constitute “general advertising and general solicitation.” This event is not for offering and selling company securities to qualified investors. No mention or solicitation of investment funds or equity can be discussed at any time, in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933 and the updated policies of SEC Rule 148. AZ Pioneer Pitch event organizers reserve the right to remove any team from the AZ Pioneer Pitch Competition at any time.

    Entry Period begins 2/6/23 at 9:00 AM MST. BY ENTERING THE CONTEST, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE
    AND AGREE THAT (1) YOUR MATERIALS ARE NOT CONFIDENTIAL AND NO CONFIDENTIAL OR
    FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP IS INTENDED OR CREATED BY ENTERING THE CONTEST; AND (2) THE
    CONTEST ENTITIES MAY POSSESS OR COME TO POSSESS INFORMATION THAT IS SIMILAR OR
    IDENTICAL TO YOUR MATERIALS, AND YOU HEREBY AGREE THAT THE CONTEST ENTITIES MAY USE
    SUCH SIMILAR OR IDENTICAL INFORMATION WITHOUT LIMITATION, COMPENSATION, OR CREDIT TO
    YOU. Winners commit to participating in PR, interviews, and other storytelling activities as part of their
    participation in the competition. Void where prohibited.

    PLEASE COMPLETE THE APPLICATION BELOW:
    Eligibility Requirements:
    • The applicant must be the owner, principal, or general manager or member of the leadership team of the applying business.
    • Your company/team must be primarily Arizona-based to participate. If your company is registered outside of Arizona, at least > 51% of your founding team must be physically based >51% of the year in Arizona.
    • Your company must be an “early stage” company to participate. For the purposes of this competition, an “early stage” company is defined as having raised less than $250,000 total in investor funds, grant funds, and loans (combining all types of funding) and 2) less than 5 full-time employees.
    • Preference for prize awardees will be given to teams that have ideas/products/services that fall within one or more of the event’s themes:  Food, Fabric, or Fashion.  (“Fabric” includes hand-sewn or  industrial/commercial fabric products or services).
    • You must have a business account and formal entity to receive funding. You may apply and participate even if you have not yet officially set up your company structure/entity or a business bank account. However, if you win, we can only disburse payment to an official business entity via a business bank account; so you must set them up before receiving your prize.  (Business structures include sole proprietorships, LLCs, LPs, LLPs, S-Corps, Nonprofit Corps, and other Corps.)  
    • At least one founding member of your company must be over the age of 18. At least one member of your company's founding team must be over the age of 18 upon the date of the pitch competition.
    • Prior AZ Pioneer Pitch participants are eligible to compete again, except for any AZ Pioneer Pitch State prize winners, which are not eligible to apply.
    Application Requirements:
    • Entries that do not comply with instructions fully will not be accepted.
    • All questions must be answered in their entirety.
    • Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements.
    • You will be required to describe non-sensitive information about your business plan. This information will be shared with the AZ Pioneer Pitch event teams, in addition to our volunteer mentors and judges.
    • Due to physical space constraints, up to 45 applicants may be admitted to the competition, on a first-submitted/first-accepted basis.
    • Applications are due by March 24, 2023, midnight AZ time/MT.
    Event Expectations:
    • Applicants will be notified by March 29, if they have been accepted into the AZ Pioneer Pitch competition.
    • Participants are expected to attend the in-person practice sessions on Saturday, April 15, from 9:30am – 2pm, AZ time/MT at Pima Community College, Downtown campus (timing subject to change, depending upon number of pitches). Mentors and advisors will be available during these practice sessions.
    • The final AZ Pioneer Pitch Competition will occur in-person at Pima Community College’s Downtown campus, Amethyst Room, on April 15th, from 3pm to 5pm, AZ time/MT (timing subject to change, depending upon number of pitches).  A member of your company’s leadership team must be the individual who presents.
    • The same member of your team who presents during the April 15th morning practice sessions must be the same individual who presents during the Final Pitch Event in the late afternoon.
    • All pitches throughout the training and Final Pitch will be 3-5 minutes. Pitches on the final day of AZ Pioneer Pitch may be up to 5 minutes.
    • Not all participants will move forward to the Final Pitch Event in the afternoon.  External judges will select teams for the afternoon’s Final Pitch and for the prize awards, using a rubric that includes. preferences for early-stage teams that have ideas/products/services that fall within one or more of the event’s themes:  Food, Fabric, or Fashion.
    • The AZ Pioneer Pitch Competition includes various prizes, both cash and in-kind offerings. Not all finalists will be eligible for all prizes.

    Tell us about you and your idea/company!

    ** Please address the following questions in your answer above:
    • What does it do?
    • What is your unique selling proposition?
    • Why is it notable, and how is it better than what is already on the market?
    • How will you make it profitable?
Arizona's Premiere Entrepreneurship & Economic Development Program

Questions?
info@moonshotaz.com

QUICK LINKS