seCTer Offering $7,500 Grant in First ‘Ledge Light Launch Pitch Competition’ for Regional Entrepreneurs

A $7,500 grant for entrepreneurs will be up for grabs during a pitch competition scheduled for June 26, 6 p.m., at Tox Brewing on Bank Street, New London.

Envisioned as an event to bring together aspiring entrepreneurs in an informal setting, the ‘Ledge Light Launch’ pitch competition is sponsored by the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region, or seCTer, the region’s federally designated economic development agency.

Entrepreneurs pitching new products, expansion plans, marketing campaigns, technology upgrades or any concept to take their venture to the next level can enter by submitting their idea through the  Ledge Light Launch Pitch Event application form. Applications will be accepted through June 16.

seCTer staff will select six finalists who will each have six minutes to present a project that clearly demonstrates to a panel of judges how it will drive growth for their business. Capital providers are also encouraged to attend to get an early look at potential investment opportunities.

Judges are Tom Gerson, Startup Advisor; Maria Hanna, President and CEO of Survival Systems USA of Groton; Wendy Vincent, Executive Director of the Cultural Coalition; Catherine Young, seCTer Board of Directors; and Kevin Zhang, Community Manager, Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut.

Additional details and the 10-point scoring rubric are available here.

All participants must have proof of a business registration in this region. seCTer provides business advising support, grants and funding to non-bankable entrepreneurs.

“This is the first event in our Ledge Light Launch series intended to get our entrepreneurs engaged with one another for the benefit of all,” said seCTer Executive Director Paul Whitescarver. “Tox Brewing received funding from seCTer, so we thought it was appropriate to kick off this series there as a celebration of entrepreneurship over beers.”