Deadline approaches for PitchNo.CO competition

FORT COLLINS — Applications for PitchNo.CO, the Northern Colorado pitch competition at Fort Collins Startup Week, close at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12.

Companies that are fewer than five years old, operate in Longmont or Larimer or Weld counties, and have less than $500,000 in revenue are encouraged to apply.

Startups that wish to pitch do not have to be seeking funding, said Jana Sanchez, executive director of LaunchNo.CO and organizer for the pitch competition.

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This year marks the second year of PitchNo.CO and there are some changes from the past. This year, Sanchez said there will be less focus on cash prizes and more focus on giving services to the winners.

“What we’re finding is that the connection and services are significantly more valuable in helping companies make a step-change than any amount of cash thrown at them,” she said. “When you get a service package from an expert, you also get their expertise with it.”

She added this can be key for startups that would like to move through the process of marketing or shoring up their legal documents, but find that it can be expensive or difficult without guidance.

Sanchez said prizes will include PR packages, law practices, business coaching and consulting, among other prizes. There has been more than $20,000 of services added to the prize packages, which will be awarded to various competitors.

After applying, companies will be selected by a seven-person committee of business experts, which will select 12 startups from the application process. The 12 selected companies will be notified on Saturday and then have a meeting with Sanchez, who will help each business prepare its presentations.

The contest will consist of two preliminary rounds, where startups will receive feedback from four to five judges. That feedback can be incorporated into their semifinal pitch on the Thursday of startup week, which will be open to the public. On Friday will be the final pitches and then the award ceremony.

Sanchez said the decision to combine PitchNo.CO with Fort Collins Startup Week is intentional.

“Fundamentally, it’s about the fact that Northern Colorado startups do not have enough exposure,” she said. “They’re so busy creating their own bootstrapped companies in their basements that they don’t have the opportunity to connect and help others understand the truly amazing and cool things we’re doing.”

The event is hosted during startup week to showcase the companies created in Northern Colorado to the community.

“It’s inspirational but also an opportunity to help these companies connect with the leaders in startup communities, from Boulder or Denver, and with funders,” she said. “It’s an amplification that we wouldn’t get any other time of the year. There’s something about the energy of 1,500 people spending the week focused on startups and having them spend time with the companies that are competing that is unique.”

Companies that do decide to apply will be asked to focus on strategy when thinking of their pitch.

“You’re at point A and want to get to point B, tell us how you’ll do that,” she said. “It helps because we have experts who can tell you ‘that makes sense’ or ‘that doesn’t make sense’ or ‘here’s what you haven’t thought about.’ As an entrepreneur, sometimes you don’t know what it is you don’t know. Our experts help you have a strategy as solid as it needs to be.”

Sanchez added that while the deadline is approaching, companies that think they would like to compete but are unable to make the Tuesday night deadline can email her at jana@launchno.co.