Deadline nears to enter REV Birmingham's The Big Pitch

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Are you an entrepreneur or small-business owner convinced that your store or product or service is on the verge of big things and that all you need is a little boost?

If so, you have until midnight on Saturday, Sept. 15 to submit your application to take part in The Big Pitch, REV Birmingham’s fifth annual business plan competition, according to a REV news release.

Presented by PNC Bank, The Big Pitch offers prizes totaling $50,000 to help the winners take their concepts or businesses to the next level.

Five finalists will be selected and notified by Oct. 5, the release states.

The selection panel is looking for small startups poised to hit a major growth point in the next six months — especially retail, restaurant, art or neighborhood service concepts that will generate foot traffic and result in job and tax growth in the city of Birmingham.

Strong consideration will be given to businesses that have graduated from a business workshop at REV or Create Birmingham.

On Nov. 17, finalists will compete in a “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition with judges and an audience. They can not only win cash, but needed professional services as well. The location of the event is TBA, according to the REV Birmingham website.

Finalists will be asked to articulate how potential winnings would be used to make progress toward a milestone for their small business.

Past Big Pitch finalists include Zebbie Carney of Eugene’s Hot Chicken, Haden Smith who pitched a food truck idea but went on to open The Annex and Kate Hardy of gift shop Square One Goods.

The 2017 Big Pitch was held at the Negro Southern League Museum, and the winner was R&M Convenience Store in Enon Ridge, owned by Rodriquez and Brianna Cowans.

The Cowans received the $20,000 grand prize, and Hardy won second place and a prize of $10,000.

Submit your 2018 Big Pitch application and find more information at bigpitchbham.com.

For more about REV Birmingham, go to revbirmingham.org.