A little history about the AZ Pioneer Pitch Tour, hosted by Moonshot AZ...

In 2018, Moonshot CEO Scott Hathcock created a Shark Tank-like business pitch event in Flagstaff, Arizona. The event was such a hit that Moonshot—a 23-year-old Arizona-based nonprofit that helps entrepreneurs and economic development groups—went to on the road to economic development leaders in rural communities, like Verde Valley and Winslow, AZ, and partnered with city officials to set up tour spots in those areas as well.

Business pitch events are plentiful in major cities within Arizona, but not in rural areas. We are proud to help our rural partners create entrepreneurial ecosystems in their respective towns and cities.

Over the years, the tour has grown substantially and now boasts 10 Pioneer Pitch event stops in 2023.

It has been a pleasure to work alongside Moonshot in support of area entrepreneurs and businesses. They have a large network of professionals, coaches, and mentors which compliments and expands the work of the Yavapai College SBDC. We have greater impact on our local economies because of this partnership."

Ruth Ellen Elinski, Center Director, Yavapai College SBDC

The Globe, AZ Pioneer Pitch was an amazing experience for my SBDC clients. Every person walked away learning something new about their business and themselves. Connections were made, new confidence was found and business have grown because of Moonshot. This is a wonderful event and we feel so lucky to be a stop on the tour."

Sarah Alexander, Business Analyst, Gila Pueblo Community College SBDC

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WHAT'S IN IT FOR AZ CITIES & ENTREPRENEURS?

What's in it for economic development leaders in each tour stop?

• The event allows economic development directors to audit the business talent and ingenuity in their respective cities and towns.
• The event provides an opportunity to grow economic development in a town or region. Entrepreneurs and risk takers with great business ideas go on to create more jobs within the community.
• Moonshot has a wide network of successful CEOs and founders who provide mentorship and coaching as part of the Pioneer Pitch Tour. The mentors who volunteer their time to help entrepreneurs on the tour also have wide networks of connections to capital, manufacturing contacts, legal contacts, and more. (Over the years, a few of our mentors have even appeared on the hit ABC TV show, SHARK TANK!)
• Moonshot partnered with title tour sponsor Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona as well as CIC and Arizona Commerce Authority for this year's tour. State-wide tour sponsors cover the cost of Moonshot to host the event in a city or town, while local economic development directors partner with local sponsors to raise money for prizes.
• Winners are awarded cash prizes and more, sometimes go on to create partnerships with other local businesses and entities.

What's in it for the folks who apply to participate in a tour stop event?

As a Pioneer Pitch Tour Participant...

• You'll learn to successfully and quickly pitch your business/invention/idea to potential investors. (Pitch presentations are 3-5 minutes in length).
• You'll be competing to win cash prizes, scholarships to become a Moonshot member (entrepreneurial education, mentorship, and more), and more! (Prizes vary by tour stop.)
• You'll get feedback from top industry experts and exposure for your business or product.
• You'll meet other risk-taking entrepreneurs in your area that you can lean on while you're diving into the start up world.
• Also, the first place winner of each tour stop will go on to compete in our state-wide finals competition for a $10,000 cash prize. The event, which also honors successful Moonshot entrepreneurs, will be held in Flagstaff in July 2023.

Learn more by click on the tour stop closest to where you currently reside. We hope to see you on the tour!

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A FEW WORDS FROM ENTREPRENEURS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE AZ PIONEER PITCH TOUR

ABOVE: A few words from 2021 Verde Valley Pioneer Pitch Winners

NOTE: Our first Pioneer Pitch event in Flagstaff was called "SHARKS IN SPACE" in honor of Flagstaff's history as a leader in space exploration and training. The United States Geological Society trained all of the Apollo astronauts.

Moonshot AZ

Moonshot is an Arizona-based, 22 year-old 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to help subject matter experts bring products and services to market and help cities develop entrepreneurial eco-systems that create jobs. We believe that the best products aren’t dreamed up by the business class but rather the scientists, engineers, technologists, designers, and dreamers who bear the type of innovation that truly changes the world. And we believe that we can't all be astronauts, but we can all be moonshot-thinking pioneers. moonshotaz.com