As part of the 4th Annual Moonshot Pioneer Pitch Tour, 17 local Quad City businesses competed for cash and prizes on Thursday, March 30. Congratulations to our top three winners: AJ Smith of True Course Simulations, Tamara Kieren of Digital App Tools, and Amanda and Chris Adam of Bear and Dragon Café.

Photo courtesy Yavapai College SBDC.

All participants in this local pitch contest prepared, implemented and pitched their business start-up or expansion plans to a panel of expert judges from across the state. The judging panel included Scott Hascock, CEO of Moonshot; Robert Theobald, vice president of business services for the Arizona Department of Commerce; David Johns, a trademark and business attorney; and 2014 Shark Tank winner and Moonshot team member. It included top business leaders such as writer and author Kiersten Hascock.

Participating companies included a wide range of industries including mobile escape rooms, food and lodging, digital apps, recycling, training and coaching, and several service-based companies.

Local winners, True Course Simulations, took home the top prize of $1,500.
$3,000 in scholarships to the Moonshot Entrepreneurship Education Program and the opportunity to compete for the grand prize of $10,000 in the State Pioneer Pitch competition in July.

AJ Smith represented True Course in the competition. “We learned a lot about how to better represent our business and were looking forward to connecting with other small businesses and start-ups in the region,” Smith said. of excellent startups are launching and the region agreed that they are lucky to have the support of SBDC. “I look forward to receiving more coaching and mentorship from SBDC on my way to the State Pioneer Pitch.”

Smith’s presentation highlighted the growing demand for pilots and the high performance technology and hands-on experience used to educate and prepare future pilots for flight. “Everyone showed up with a viable business that could be successful tomorrow,” Scott Hascock said. We chose True Course because it helps us address the ongoing demand for pilots who

Additional prizes and scholarships were awarded to the second and third place winners in collaboration with local sponsors and the Moonshot team. Judges selected two additional pitchers who demonstrated growth potential to receive educational scholarships worth $3,000. It’s just another way we can provide you with educational and networking opportunities to build, build, grow and scale your business.

“AJ Smith and Brett Watts are an energetic team,” SBDC Certified Business Analyst Hilary Strong said of the winning team. “They are coachable, eager to learn and grow, and always striving for more in the business.” According to Strong, these are key attributes for successful entrepreneurs. Ray Bedard, founder and CEO of True Course Simulations, plans for continued growth and job creation at Quad Cities.

SBDC provides free, confidential consulting to businesses of all sizes throughout the county.Register for service yc.edu/sbdc Or call us at 928-717-7232.

Local entrepreneurs can find a complete tour and more information about participating communities at moonshotaz.com.

For more information on True Course Simulations, please visit: tcsims.com.

About Yavapai College: Yavapai College offers life-changing individualized education, career training, lifelong learning and workforce development opportunities online and in person at six locations in beautiful Yavapai County, Arizona.

About Moonshot: Moonshot (www.moonshotaz.com) is a 21-year-old 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Moonshot’s mission is to help entrepreneurs both build and scale their startups and develop an entrepreneurial ecosystem for economic development across Arizona.

Event Sponsor: Moonshot Az, Yavapai College SBDC, Yavapai College, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Arizona Commerce Authority, Pinnacle Bank, Regional Economic Development Center, Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization (VVREO), Town of Chino Valley, City of Prescott, LaserGirl SkinCare, Eightfold Technology, Prescott Executive Offices, Jersey Lilly Saloon. There are also several in-kind sponsors, including the Prescott Chamber of Commerce, Prescott Times and Perfect His Angles, who provide resources to the winners and help promote the event.

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