Road Pitch roars around the state seeking startups

Congratulated by Cairn Cross of Fresh Tracks Capital, Andy Vota, left, and his Sustainability Benefit won the Grand Isle "pitch" at the Grand Isle Lake House on Monday. VBM photo.

Vermont Business Magazine That motorcycle gang you might find roaring around Vermont this week is in search of the best entrepreneurs in Vermont.Road Pitch was founded in 2014 by Cairn Cross, co-founder and managing director of FreshTracks Capital. The event is a multi-day motorcycle trip around Vermont where a pack of motorcycle riders with investing, entrepreneurial/business and business advisory experience ride together and stop in small towns where “Local Hosts” have organized a pitch session for entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas to the group.The “pitcher” who is voted the Riders’ Choice Award will win a $500 cash prize from the statewide sponsor, Fresh Tracks Capital, and will be invited to participate in a “pitch off” event in October and which the winners at all 10 stops will repeat their pitches and have the opportunity to win an additional cash prize and a full year of no cost mentoring.

The public may come watch and take the opportunity to meet and network with some of the most influential and successful business people in thearea. Go here for more information on Road Pitchwww.roadpitch.co. See remaining schedule below.

The Lamoille Countystop on the statewide Road Pitch will be held August 4 in Hyde Park.The Lamoille Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) has selected and extensively coached six local entrepreneurs who will present their seven minute “pitches” to 40 or more motorcycle riders who are themselves successful entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors and business advisors.

This year’s Lamoille County event is co-sponsored by the Lamoille Region Chamber of Commerce. The public is invited to come watch this live Vermont-style “shark tank” event on Friday, August 4that the Green Mountain Technology and Career Center in Hyde Park.

The first “pitch” will start at 3 pm and the event will wrap up by 5 pm.

The winner in Hyde Park will also receive a custom Vermont Teddy Bear “Biker Bear” named Abby.

Rutland-4:30PM

August 1 @ 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Fox Room – Rutland Free Library,10 Court Street
Rutland,VT05701United States
Exterior view of Rutland Free Library in Vermont

Bennington- 10:00AM

August 2 @ 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Bennington Museum,75 Main Street
Bennington,VT05201United States
Exterior view of The Bennington Museum located in Bennington, Vermont

Brattleboro – 3:00PM

August 2 @ 3:00 pm-5:30 pm
Robert Gibson River Garden,157 Main Street
Brattleboro,VT05301United States
Interior view of Robert Gibson River Garden

Randolph – Vermont Tech -10:30 AM

August 3 @ 10:30 am-12:30 pm
Vermont Technical Center,124 Admin Drive
Randolph,VT05061United States
Exterior view of Vermont Technical College

Barre – Vermont Granite Museum -2:30PM

August 3 @ 2:30 pm-5:00 pm
Vermont Granite Museum,7 Jones Brothers Way
Barre,VT05641United States
Exterior view of the Vermont Granite Museum in Barre

St. Johnsbury – 9:30AM

August 4 @ 9:30 am-12:00 pm
Catamount Arts Center,115 Eastern Avenue
St Johnsbury,VT05819United States
Exterior view of Catamount Arts Center in St. Johnsbury Vermont

Hyde Park – 3:00PM

August 4 @ 3:00 pm-5:00 pm
Green Mountain Technology & Career Center,738 Vt 15 W
Hyde Park,VT05655United States
Exterior view of Green Mountain Technical College