The PitchFork Challenge

What is The PitchFork Challenge?

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*

APPLY HERE

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.

INTEREST FORM

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

1. 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 the 2023 PitchFork Challenge Presenters:

   **All dates and times are in EST**

   1. Monday July 24th: Pitchfork Challenge Info Session
   2. Monday, July 31st: The application is due by the end of the business day. APPLICATION LINK
   3. Wednesday, August 9th, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST: Pitch Clinic with Hannah Grimes Staff – recording will be posted on the website afterwards for those who cannot attend
   4.  Schedule a 1:1 with Program Director for pitch practice
   5. *REQUIRED* Monday August 28th: Virtual Closed Round of Pitching *This is an elimination round*
   6. Schedule a 1:1 with Program Director for pitch practice
   7. Thursday, August 31^st, Wednesday, September 6th, or Thursday September 7^th 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Schedule 1:1 pitch practice with Program Director – if these times do not work for you, Program Director will work with your schedule
   8. *REQUIRED* Thursday, September 14th, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Round 2: PitchFork Challenge semi-final event *This is an elimination round*
   9. Schedule a final pitch practice with Program Director
   10. Wednesday, September 27th, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Finalists are encouraged to attend the CONNECT event in person
   11. *REQUIRED* Wedesday, September 27th, 10:00 am – 11:30 am: The PitchFork Challenge, the final LIVE event will be held during the Radically Rural Summit  (all PFC participants recieve free virtual or in-person tickets to the summit)
   12. *REQUIRED* Thursday, September 28th, 4:00 PM: Announcement Ceremony of the winners will be during the Livability Slam event at the Radically Rural Summit

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. In 2022, PitchFork Challenge is going national. Rural entrepreneurs from across the country are welcom and encouragaed to apply as PitchFork will be a stand-alone session at Radically Rural 2022, drawing a larger audience than in previous years.

Watch the PitchFork Challenge INFO Session with Sara Powell

Watch the PitchFork Challenge 2022

Watch the PitchFork Challenge 2021