Eigerlab Fast Pitch Competition

Media Contact: Sherry Pritz,

Marketing Coordinator | Business Development (815) 753-2192 | SPritz@EIGERlab.org

NIU EIGERlab gears up for 10th FastPitch Competition

 Rockford, Ill. — It’s “Shark Tank,” Rockford-style!

This year marks the 10th anniversary of NIU EIGERlab’s FastPitch Competition. Because the competition has been so successful year after year, attracting upward of more than 40 presenters, organizers can only venture to guess that’s why ABC started “Shark Tank,” a reality television series, that is very similar in scope.

Local innovators and entrepreneurs are invited to share their products, service or “ideas on a napkin” for a chance to win a $5,000 first prize in addition to outstanding mentoring and exposure.

This year’s FastPitch Competition will be held Wednesday, Sept. 28, at NIU-Rockford.

Planning for the 10th annual FastPitch Competition is well under way. NIU EIGERlab is coordinating and promoting FastPitch, which offers entrepreneurs, inventors, startups, pre-startups, existing business owners and students (high school seniors and college) the opportunity to “pitch” their business idea or innovative business to a panel of esteemed judges from the business and investment community. Winners take home not only a cash prize, but in addition, receive exposure to investors, business leaders, media and potential mentors.

FastPitch presentation training sessions are scheduled from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, and Thursday, Sept. 22, at the NIU EIGERlab. Training to assist applicants with fine-tuning their presentations is strongly suggested (preferably Tuesday). The cost is $15 for both sessions; past winners have stated that the presentation training has proven invaluable.

Previous FastPitch Competition Presenter highlights

Two pitchers have appeared on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” and one received a deal.

One has appeared on the Home Shopping

More than 400 people have pitched during the past nine

Many presenters still have thriving businesses

The deadline for FastPitch participants to submit their business pitches in writing for pre- qualification is Thursday, Sept. 15; accepted participants will be notified by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16.

For full FastPitch Competition details, flier and registration form, visit the NIU EIGERlab website at http://www.eigerlab.org/. Business pitches must be submitted in writing (1,000 words or less) to SPritz@EIGERlab.org. For additional information, call Sherry Pritz at (815) 753-2192.