Pitching on a Trolley

Colorado State University and the Blue Ocean Challenge has put a new twist on the elevator pitch.  They are having participants pitch (2-minutes) on a trolley while driving around Fort Collins.  A creative touch to making it “real”.

“Innovation, both old and new, comes together in this high-energy, engaging competition as 15 Blue Ocean Enterprises Collegiate Track competitors board Birney Car 21— the Fort Collins Municipal Railway’s historic trolley— to pitch their ventures like never before.

Putting a Fort Collins twist on the classic “elevator pitch,” competitors will wait in groups at various trolley stops along Mountain Avenue. While the trolley rambles its regular route through Old Town, competitors will channel the charms of a bygone era to offer their best two-minute business pitches while vying to impress a four-judge panel of experts. Every time Birney stops, competitors de-board and the next group of trolley-pitchers hops on. The first place winner will receive $3,000 in prize money, second place will receive $2,000 and third place will receive $1,000. Competitors and on-lookers also have a chance to win additional prizes by participating in the Invest-In-Me game.”

Learn more: http://blueoceanchallenge.com/competitions/trolley-pitch/

Note: the event is sponsored by OtterBox, who’s CEO is a WMU alumni — Brian Thomas.