Ridgefield-based entrepreneurs and business owners can pitch their ideas to a panel of international corporate leaders and notable entrepreneurs on Tuesday, October 24. In order to pitch, entrepreneurs must contact the Ridgefield Economic & Community Development Commission (ECDC) by Monday, October 2, by emailing ecdc.sean@gmail.com
This year’s Tiger-Shark Tank will be at the Ridgefield Playhouse, which is partnering with the ECDC. The event is free and open to the public but seats must be reserved at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. Walks-ups are welcome on the day of the event. The Playhouse doors and cash bar will open at 5:30 pm for pre-event networking; the presentations will begin at 6:30, with the winners announced around 8:45 pm.
The esteemed local judges this year are Jay Walker, founder of Priceline; Jeff Bornstein, former Vice Chairman of General Electric; Megan Searfoss, owner of Ridgefield Running Company; Christa Carone, President of Infillion Media; and Wyatt Lipman, Corporate Counsel for Strategic Deals & Partnerships at Google.
The judges will vote on the best ideas and award Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce gift cards to the top three presentations. “We’re excited to support these entrepreneurs and the town by giving out $5,000 in gift cards to the winners,” said Dowd. As on the nationally televised Shark Tank, presenters will have 15 minutes to pitch their concept to the judges and audience. Entrepreneurs who pitch will receive real-time feedback from private investors. A financial investment from judges is not part of the event.
“I spent five years working for Daymond John at his brand consultancy, The Shark Group, so when the ECDC approached us, it was a no-brainer to partner with them,” said Jared Shahid, Co-Managing Director of the Ridgefield Playhouse. “The Shark Tank platform itself is massive, and the associated PR and marketing can transform a business overnight. That’s why I like this event for Ridgefield; the visibility of winning a business competition can expose these entrepreneurs to serious investment or growth opportunities.”
Last year, more than 40 entrepreneurs applied for the six available spots at the first Tiger-Shark Tank. Pitches from last year who were not invited to present at that event can resubmit this year, and high school and college students are invited to participate as well.
Last year's invited presenters were:
1. Olga Chin - InterPrice Technologies (Winner)
2. Laura Davis - Mind Body Botanicals
3. James Albis - RedLeaf
4. Tony Perrelli - PinDo
5. Kerri Austin - Hot Flash Diaries
6. Patrick Sciarratta - Culture World
The Ridgefield ECDC seeks to help promote a vibrant entrepreneurial community. Please visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org for more information on Tiger-Shark Tank or visit the commission’s website at ridgefieldct.com for information on its mission.
Email ECDC member Sean Dowd at ecdc.sean@gmail.com directly with any questions or to arrange a pitch!