Young entrepreneurs have a chance to Pitch It!

Fast Start’s contest for big new innovative ideas from students returns in November

Fast Start, part of Peterborough’s Innovation Cluster, is hosting its fourth annual Pitch It! next month.

The competition encourages Trent University, Fleming College and high school students to submit innovative business ideas. The contest is aimed toward students who dream of entrepreneurship.

Pitch It! is a Dragons’ Den style competition. Contestants explain their ideas to a panel of industry judges. The idea the judges decide is best will win $500.

Pitch It! will be showcasing three contestants pitching ideas in the categories of Clean and Agriculture Technology, Trades and Retail Business and Information Technology/Media and Gaming.

A high school category was recently added to let teens compete for a prize.

“This event is a great opportunity for young and aspiring entrepreneurs to push themselves into pitching a business idea and getting feedback from real professionals,” stated Rosalea Terry, the Innovation Cluster’s marketing manager and senior innovation specialist, in a press release.

“It is important for students to have events like this to not only showcase their great business ideas, but also practice putting those ideas in action.”

Fast Start is aimed to help entrepreneurs between 18 to 29.

It focuses on increasing entrepreneurship skills and to help young people develop viable and actionable business plan.

It also helps those young people bring their products and their services to the market. It collaborates with Trent University and Fleming College.