580 Pitch will create ‘collaborative network’
LAWTON — An innovative program for new Comanche County entrepreneurs could be a life changer and propel them to the next level of their business career.
The program, called ‘580 Pitch’ after the area code, allows business owners to try and convince experts that their idea is worth a first-place prize of $10,000.
But it’s worth more than that, according to Lynn Null, executive director of the Business Services Center at Great Plains Technology Center.
“This will give each business owner the opportunity to work with the team at Great Plains Business Services Center as they put together their business plan,” she said. “As we were planning this (580 Pitch), we wanted to create a place where entrepreneurs could have a collaborative network that benefitted them.”
Business applicants must have a company in Oklahoma that is less than five years old as an LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp or other registered business entity. In addition, the applicant must be 21 or older, currently have a physical product or service to sell, have lifetime revenue between $5,000-$75,000, be in compliance with all federal laws, and the business must be located in Comanche County.
Applications for the 580 Pitch competition are due May 15 while each entrant’s business plan will be submitted by June 9.
Similar to the hit television show “Shark Tank,” four finalists will make their pitches to a panel of local business experts on July 13.
Null believes the entrepreneurs “will thrive with a proper set of direction and investment” from business experts.
“They will be surrounded by people who are interested in supporting our entrepreneurs,” she said.
Judges for the final competition will come from the Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce, Cameron University, Great Plains Technology Center, Insight Brokers and Arvest Bank.
“This will allow them (finalists) to put their businesses on stage for the entire community,” Null said. “We want the entire community to come out and watch it (pitches) live. We already have our emcees.”
The finals will be held 5:30 p.m., July 13 at Great Plains Technology Center.
Null became interested in this type of business competition when she was attending a career tech conference.
“It sparked my interest. I thought we could make a huge impact on our local entrepreneurs,” she recalled. “So, I pulled together part of our team and they were 100% in.”
Eligible business owners can register at www.greatplains.edu/business-services/580.
For more details, call the Great Plains Technology Center’s Business Services Center at (580) 250-5509.