Aliant Business Pitch Challenge a Success!

Every year a business pitch competition is held in Saint John - it's an opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to pitch their product/idea to community business leaders, receive feedback on their idea and presentation and in the case of the competition winner, gain a little start up cash.

This year’s competition, sponsored by Aliant and presided over by both big business executives and small business owners, was in my humble opinion a resounding success! Competitors road in a limo with three judges and had five minutes to make their pitch and answer questions. So if anyone in Saint John was wondering why they saw the same two limos rounding the Uptown area over and over and over again, now you know.

There were almost thirty competitors this year – some with product samples in tow and others brought full blown cheering sections to pump them up during the down time. But what down time? Sebastian Café, this year’s venue, was absolutely packed when I walked in. And the energy was sizzling – people were excited about the competition, having a great time networking and meeting up with old acquaintances. At one point someone from the crowd even grabbed the mic and sang “Irish Eyes” and a Rat Pack song that escapes me at the moment… only in Saint John!
Congratulations to this years winners – the judges were so impressed with all of the finalists they decided on a three-way tie for first – and to the organizers, hosts and volunteers who made it happen. And a special congratulations to every contestant who had the guts to step up and compete in a nerve-wracking but very worthwhile experience!