New resource pulled from Nasdaq investment experience to be released during Values Partnerships' 2016 diversity casting tour for ABC's Shark Tank
AUSTIN, Texas - March 17, 2016 - PRLog -- The Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center (the Center), Values Partnerships, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Center for Advanced Technology & Innovation (CATI) announced today the development of the "Pitch Toolkit" to help entrepreneurs perfect their pitch to investors and/or customers in high-pressure situations. The announcement was made at a casting call for ABC's Shark Tank organized by Values Partnerships at Urban Co-Lab Austin during the South by Southwest Festival (SxSW).
The ready-to-use toolkit will help entrepreneurs perfect their pitch, learn how to shine onstage and be memorable at pitch competitions, and provide tips for deepening their product / market fit to take advantage of new opportunities to strengthen their business.
"Whether you're pitching to millions on national TV or to a key potential customer in a small conference room, being able to tell your story succinctly, with conviction, and establish credibility is a critical skill that is not mastered overnight. Just like training for a marathon, presentation skills require dedication and practice, which this toolkit helps demystify," said Nicola Corzine, Executive Director, Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center.
The "Pitch Toolkit", curated by marketing, sales and communications experts, will be released during the 2016 diversity casting tour for Shark Tank, organized by Values Partnerships. Values Partnerships is leading a nationwide casting tour supporting minority entrepreneurship and recruiting diverse ideas and voices to pitch on Season 8 of the hit show. Casting calls are planned in local communities in Miami, FL; Austin, TX; New York, NY; Washington, DC; Detroit, MI; San Francisco/Oakland, CA; New Orleans, LA; and Cincinnati, OH.
"Entrepreneurs are the spark needed to fuel the economy and broaden economic opportunity; especially in the communities that need it most. Despite a dynamic increase in the number of quality minority-owned firms, the amount of funding from traditional sources - such as banks - and private equity sources alike is startlingly low. Perfecting the pitch is a first step in ensuring diverse entrepreneurs earn the support they need; we look forward to sharing this resource during our nationwide tour," said Brandon Andrews of Values Partnerships.
In addition to providing support for entrepreneurs, the "Pitch Toolkit" will provide guidance for organizations supporting entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial ecosystems around the nation. The "Pitch Toolkit" will train community leaders to create dynamic in-person events to prepare entrepreneurs to pitch to investors.
"Entrepreneurs and innovators help boost economic growth, create jobs, and ensure that the U.S. remains a leader in the global economy, and we must make sure they have the tools necessary to succeed. CATI brings providers and users of technology together to drive innovation, and that is what we hope these toolkits will do - help best position a new wave of creative thinkers to turn their big ideas into a booming business, and we are excited to promote them through our Free Enterprise platform and small business network," said Amanda Eversole, president of CATI.
Following the SxSW announcement, modules from the toolkit will be released at the following stops on the 2016 Values Partnerships diversity casting tour for ABC's Shark Tank:
New York, NY - April 20, 2016
Washington, DC - April 23, 2016
San Francisco / Oakland, CA - May 2016
New Orleans, LA - July 2016
Cincinnati, OH - July 2016
The "Pitch Toolkit" is intended to empower entrepreneurs, prepare a diverse group of entrepreneurs to successfully compete for funding, and support entrepreneurial ecosystems from coast to coast.
Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center
The Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center (@theCenter) is a San Francisco-based non-profit organization designed to educate, innovate and connect aspiring and current entrepreneurs. Established in 2014 with support from the Nasdaq Educational Foundation, the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center serves the greater Bay Area community through differentiated events, meaningful entrepreneurial education and a prominent mentorship program. For further information, please visit: http://thecenter.nasdaq.org/.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Center for Advanced Technology & Innovation The Center for Advanced Technology & Innovation promotes the role of technology in our economy and advocated for rational policy solutions that drive economic growth, spur innovation and create jobs.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce (@USChamber) is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
Values Partnerships
Values Partnerships (@VPIConsulting) uses the power of faith-based, ethnic, and community partnerships to solve problems and change the world. We take on causes and clients we believe in - and then we work to build grassroots partnerships and advocacy campaigns to advance goals, and mobilize customers, constituencies and audiences worldwide.
Contact: Brandon Andrews
Email: Brandon@valuespartnerships.com
Phone: (703) 665-9226
Contact
Brandon Andrews
***@valuespartnerships.com
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Nasdaq, Values Partnerships, And US Chamber's CATI Announce "Pitch Toolkit" to Help Entrepreneurs Pitch to Investors
March 17, 2016 at 13:57 PM EDT
