top of page

Everyday Entrepreneur
Pitch Competition

2025-2026

$30,000 IN PRIZES

The Everyday Entrepreneur Program is dedicated to providing access to entrepreneurial education and funding for communities to take their businesses from an idea to a thriving enterprise.

​

The GRIT Center is excited to partner with NACCE, Utah SBDC, and State Bank of Southern Utah to bring the Everyday Entrepreneur Pitch Competition to Utah's Six County area!

​

The competition is broken down into two parts: Semi-Finals and Finals

Semi-finals will take place individually in each of the Six Counties (Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, and Wayne).  $1000 will be up for grabs in each of these competitions! 

​

The top performing teams in each of the semi-finals will move on to the final competition on February 19th in Richfield, Ut.  These teams will compete for their share of $25,000! 

juab-county-logo-225x90.png

Contact: Brent Boswell (brent.boswell@juab.gov)

Semi-Finals Date: January 26th, 2026

images (1)_edited.png

Contact: Sam Steed (sam.steed@piute.utah.gov)

Semi-Finals Date: January 29th, 2026

thumbnail_sevier county logo_edited.png

Contact: Mallory Beatty (mallorybeatty@sevier.utah.gov)

Semi-Finals Date: January 22nd, 2026

GetAttachmentThumbnail_edited.png

Contact: Janette Wagner (janette.wagner@snow.edu)

Semi-Finals Date: TBD

thumbnail_sanpete county logo.png

Contact: Russ Tanner (russ.tanner@snow.edu)

Semi-Finals Date: January 22nd, 2026

Wayne County Logo _edited.png

Contact: Jameson Pace (jpace@sbsu.com)

Semi-Finals Date: January 21st, 2026

Rules and Requirements

  • Application Deadline: January 9th, 2026

​

  • This is an early-stage business competition, not a business-idea competition. Businesses must have generated some revenue by the time of submission, but cannot have earned more than $100,000 the prior year.

​

  • This competition is open to legal residents of the Six County area and students attending Snow College

​

  • Applicants must be available for the semi-final competition located within their county (dates and times vary). Applicants must also be available for the Finals on February 19th 2026 in Richfield, Utah. No Remote participation will be allowed.

​

  • Individuals involved in the administration of the competition and judges are also disallowed from participating. The immediate family of individuals involved in the competition may participate but are ineligible to receive cash prizes.

​

  • Entries must be submitted by Midnight, January 9th, 2026.

​

  • Applicants may enter individually or in groups, but only one entry per person. No person may participate in the presentation of more than one business.

​

  • Entries must describe a business that may be lawfully operated in the United States.

​

  • Entries must be the original work of the entrant, must not infringe any third-party rights, and may not in any other way violate applicable laws and regulations.

​

  • Proprietary concepts and intellectual property may be protected by a provisional patent or copyright, should the contestant desire. Contestants in this contest will not be penalized for withholding key concepts or intellectual property associated with their business.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

What is the Pitch Competition?​

The Everyday Entrepreneur Pitch Competition is a fast‑paced event where entrepreneurs briefly present their business idea to a panel of judges for feedback and the chance to advance to a final round. It is not a full presentation and not a Shark Tank–style interrogation — it’s a short, structured opportunity to explain your idea, show that people want it, and share what you need next.  

Participants are evaluated on the clarity of their idea, evidence of market interest, and how well they answer questions about their business.

​

​​

How Does the Competition Work?

  • Apply with 1–3 slides

    • Submit up to three simple slides covering the problem you’re solving, your solution and customer, your market validation and competitors, and your future plans and ask.

  • Selection

    • ​Judges review applications and select participants to pitch live.

  • Live pitch

    • Selected entrepreneurs give a 90‑second pitch in front of judges and an audience.

  • Q&A

    • Judges ask 2 minutes of questions about your idea, traction, and next steps.

  • Advancement

    • The top two pitches from each semi‑final advance to the final competition, where winners are chosen.

​​

​​

Is This Right for Me?

This competition is a good fit if:

  • You have an early‑stage business and can clearly explain the problem and solution.

  • You’ve talked to customers, made early sales, tested interest, or gathered feedback (even informally).

  • You want feedback from experienced judges and exposure for your idea.​

You do not need:

  • A fully launched or perfected business.

  • A long business plan or detailed financial projections.

  • Fancy slides or polished branding.

​

​​

What This is Not:

  • Not a long presentation

  • Not about having perfect answers

  • This competition is about clarity, validation, and communication — not perfection.

 

​

Ready to Apply?

If you can explain your idea, show why it matters, and share what you need next, you’re ready to pitch.

Resources

 

Not sure where to start?  Check out some of the resources our team has found the most valuable!  And the best part?  They're all totally FREE!

 

Check out these Pitch Deck Examples to help you craft your own!  You don't have to copy them; we want to see your own creative work!

​​

A wealth of knowledge awaits with Utah SBDC's Entrepreneur Academy.  Find information on forming your business, financing, marketing, and more!

​

Is Entrepreneurship for you?  This article asserts that "Entrepreneurial Thinking Applies to All Careers"

 

Break down your business in a simple, visual way with a Lean Canvas.  Here is a tutorial from Ash Maurya, the creator of the Lean Canvas model.

 

Hear from creative minds who are making a living through art and craftsmanship with the Infosys Foundation USA: #WhyIMake

 

Turn your perspective on business inside-out with Simon Sinek as he explains his "Golden Circle" method.

​

Find skills-based training, financial resources, and other trainings with SkillPointe.

 

Go through step-by-step workshops for a variety of Business Topics with Verizon Small Business Digital

Are you interested in personalized help?

Reach out to your County Contact to schedule a meeting!  Discuss your business, your pitch deck, or your pitch itself.  We are here to help!

Sign up for our Newsletter!

Thanks for submitting!

(435)283-7564

©2021 by GRIT Center for Rural Entrepreneurship. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page