Do you want to host a PitchFork Challenge in your own community?
Check out our free PitchFork Program Guide to learn more about how you can replicate the PitchFork platform in your own rural community.
What is The PitchFork Challenge?
A rural pitch competition comprised of the following:
- 3 pitch clinics with Hannah Grimes Staff & previous PF participants
- 2 rounds of friendly pitch competition leading up to
- 1 final pitch at the Radically Rural summit where you could win $10,000
*The PitchFork Challenge runs from August to September*
What will I win?
- $10,000
- National print and digital media coverage
- Valuable pitching and business skills
- Networking opportunities with potential funders, customers, and peers
- The support of your cohort and Program Director
- A free virtual or in-person ticket to Radically Rural 2022
Previous Winners:
Bending Branch Farm – 2022 PitchFork Challenge Winner. Used the $10,000 prize money towards new goat milking equipment.
Jack’s Crackers – 2021 PitchFork Challenge winner. Used the $10,000 prize money towards a purchase of a new commercial oven to make More CRACKERS!
Frisky Cow Gelato – 2020 PitchFork Challenge winner. Used the $10,000 prize money towards a purchase of a new milk pasteurizer. And we all see Frisky Cow Gelato everywhere!
“The PitchFork process got me to rely on some of my business coaches and other people that have been supporting me along the way to really start to flush out that scale up plan.” – Linda Rubin
TotumVos Collagen Chews – 2019 PitchFork Challenge winner. Used the $10,000 prize money towards patenting the recipe for the chews.
Check out other previous PitchFork Challenge presenters.
Who’s eligible?
The PitchFork Challenge is open to any resident and business that meets the following requirements:
- Business must be located in one of the following counties:
- NH: any county
- VT: Windham, Bennington, Windsor
- MA: Franklin
- Business must be located in a town with a population of 30,000 or less
- Business must be for-profit and currently earning revenue
- May not have won the PitchFork Challenge in previous years
- May not have raised more than $250,000 in funding
- May not have earned more than $250,000 in past year revenue
What is required in my application?
- Company Logo
- Company Tax Filing 2021
- Profit & Loss Statement
- Current Balance Sheet
- Cash Flow Projections for 2022
- Business Plan
*If you are not able to answer or supply the required documents for the application, please let us know (programs@hannahgrimes.com) as we can help develop the materials with you*
Interested, but don’t have time to fill out the application now?
Fill out our quick interest form and we will reach out to you.
Winner Requirements:
- If a NH resident, complete a business form for three years after the award is received
- Document the first year with photos of the use of the award and the impact of the award if applicable
- Be available for social media, blog, website marketing, and promotion
What do the different rounds of pitching look like?
Round 1: Virtual closed round of pitching on Monday, August 28th.
- Up to two people may be eliminated
- Semi-finalists will be notified of their status before the semi-finals live PitchFork Challenge Event
Round 2: Semi-Finals event on Thursday, September 14th – semi-finalists will prepare and present their 6-minute pitch to the judges and audience.
- Up to two people may be eliminated
- Semi-finalists will receive feedback from the judges
Round 3: The PitchFork Challenge final event on Wednesday, September 27th during the Radically Rural Summit.
- Live pitch to the judging panel and live audience
How will I be judged?
You will be judged on the following criteria:
- Traction
- Team
- Product
- Market
- Community benefit
- Pitch – pitch performance
Important Dates For 2023 PitchFork Challenge Presenters:
- *All dates are mandatory for participants*
- **All dates and times are in EST**
- Monday July 24th: Pitchfork Challenge Info Session. Registration Link
- Monday, July 31st: The application is due by the end of the business day. APPLICATION LINK
- Wednesday, August 9th, 5:00-6:00 PM: Pitch Clinic
- Wednesday, August 16th, 5:00-6:00 PM: Group A Coaching Session
- Thursday, August 17th, 5:00-6:00 PM: Group B Coaching Session
- Monday, August 28th, 5:00-7:00 PM: Virtual Closed Round of Pitching *This is an elimination round*
- Wednesday, September 6th: Group A Coaching Session
- Thursday, September 7th: Group B Coaching Session
- Thursday, September 14th, 5:00-7:00 PM: PitchFork Challenge Semi-Final Event *This is an elimination round*
- Tuesday, September 26th, 5:00-6:00 PM: Final Pitch Practice
- Thursday, September 28th, 2:00-3:30 PM: The PitchFork Challenge, the final LIVE event will be held during the Radically Rural Summit at the Colonial SHOWROOM (all PitchFork participants receive free tickets to the summit)
- Thursday, September 28th, 4:00-5:30 PM: PitchFork Challenge Winner will be announced at Radically Rural’s closing ceremony at the Colonial Theater Mainstage
History:
The PitchFork Challenge provides money and momentum for rural entrepreneurs in the form of a friendly business pitch competition. Rural entrepreneurs are coached to create a compelling pitch describing their business opportunity in pursuit of a cash award. Ultimately, one business owner is chosen to receive a $10,000 cash prize every year. For the inaugural Radically Rural Summit in 2018, the success of the Hannah Grimes PitchFork Program was leveraged into the PitchFork Challenge, which provided local entrepreneurs in eligible counties with the opportunity to meet like-minded entrepreneurs, develop relationships with investors, and build up the skill of talking about their business in a clear and succinct way.
Watch the PitchFork Challenge INFO Session with Program Director, Sara Powell
