Trout Tank Pitch Accelerator
TROUT TANK PITCH ACCELERATOR– is about highlighting entrepreneurs and businesses in Colorado and giving them opportunities to sharpen their pitching skills, gain exposure, secure funding, and build connections with lenders, investors, decision-makers, and key stakeholders within the Colorado business and investing community.
Apply now to push your brand forward! It’s free to apply but only 20 companies will be accepted into the cohort.
ALL NEW AND EXISTING COMPANIES ARE WELCOME TO APPLY!
How it works:
- Fill out an application telling us about you and your company.
- 20 companies will be chosen to participate by our selection committee.
- Participants will go through 6-weeks of training including pitch practice, expert panels, and interactive group work in the Trout Tank Pitch Accelerator.
- Prior to the event, participants will deliver a 5-minute pitch to our panel. The panel will select companies to pitch at Trout Tank Pitch Event in front of an audience of investors, industry experts, and business leaders.
- One winner will be selected at the event, but all participants will have an opportunity at the event to share their product and company with those in attendance!
What To Expect
- 5 sessions including pitch practice, expert panels, and interactive group work
- Introductions to rockstar mentors
- Complete a pitch deck with expert help
- Multiple pitching opportunities in a supportive space
- Instant feedback and coaching
- Face to face meetings with lenders and investors
- Access to a powerful alumni network of over 130 past Trout Tank companies
- VIP attendance to the Trout Tank Pitch Event with a demo booth for extra exposure
- Private public speaking classes and coaching
- Special Rockies Venture Club Pitch Academy
IMPORTANT DATES
Trout Tank is held 4 times per year, in the spring, summer, and fall with a special event for Denver Startup Week.
Registration
Applications close on
October 17, 2021
Pitch Accelerator Session
October 20 – October 17
Wednesdays | 4:00-7:00 PM
Final Pitch Event
December 8, 2021
Networking to follow
INVESTMENT
All interested companies can apply. If you are selected, your payment is due by the beginning of the program.
Standard Trout Tank Fee
$150.00
Denver Metro Chamber Members
$100.00
Trout Tank Retake Fee
$75.00
Interested? Have questions? Contact Morgan Alu at morgan.alu@denversbdc.org.
Trout Tank Pitch Accelerator Schedule
Session 1
- Meet the cohort happy hour and orientation.
Session 2:
- Private public speaking class and pitch practice taught by The Professional Communicators
Session 3:
- Pitch practice with The Professional Communicators
Session 4:
- Special Trout Tank edition of Rockies Venture Club Pitch Academy
Session 5:
- The entrepreneurial expert panel, giving cohort access and advice to rock star founders
Session 6:
- Pitch at Final Auditions for a chance to compete in the Trout Tank: Pitch Event
A Special Thanks to Our Partners:
Trout Tank FAQs
We, along with our partners, have designed Trout Tank to educate and integrate entrepreneurs into the business community and serve as a platform to connect them with funding sources and connections they need to be successful.
- 5 three-hour sessions including pitch practice, expert panels and interactive group work
- Get paired with a rockstar mentor
- Complete a pitch deck with expert help
- Multiple pitching opportunities in a supportive space
- Instant feedback and coaching
- Face to face meetings with lenders and investors
- Free registration to workshops at the Denver Metro SBDC
- Access to a powerful alumni network of over 100 past Trout Tank companies
- VIP attendance to the Trout Tank Pitch Event with a demo booth for extra exposure
- Private public speaking class and coaching
- Special Rockies Venture Club Pitch Academy
Throughout Trout Tank: Pitch Accelerator, you will be able to sharpen your pitching skills, gain exposure, secure funding and build connections with lenders, investors, decision-makers, and key stakeholders within the Colorado business and investing community.
We accept 15 companies in each Trout Tank: Pitch Accelerator class.
- LEADING EDGE students (past and present): $75
- Trout Tank Retake fee: $75
- Chamber members: $75
We welcome all companies—from beginning stage startups to existing businesses looking to expand.
Yes, both founders and co-founders are welcome to apply.
Yes, you are eligible, as long as you have a specific financial ask.
Yes, as long as you meet all the requirements, and are able to attend all trainings and events in person.
Absolutely! Assuming you still meet all of the criteria, you are welcome to go through the program as many times as you would like.
Yes, you are both welcome to do so, but that is not recommended.
Only key leadership roles are able to pitch (ex. Founder, Co-Founder, CEO, President, etc.).
Following the final auditions, the top 3-5 companies are chosen to pitch at the Trout Tank: Final Event. Those not chosen will be given booth space to demo their product during networking.
The judging panel is made up of key partners and business leaders within the Denver region.
The event is open to the public, but we invite lenders, investors and business leaders to attend.
No problem! That's what this process is for.
See a glimpse at the last Trout Tank event where we focused on water challenges!
In Partnership With
FOUNDING SPONSOR:
SUPPORTING SPONSORS:
