Have you ever had an idea for a business or a desire to expand the current one you’re in? If so, mark Thursday through Saturday, April 11 through 13, on your calendar for Moon Shot AZ Pioneer Pitch. 

The city of Sedona has partnered with the Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization and Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology to bring a “Shark Tank”-like event to the Verde Valley. The networking event will be on Thursday, April 11, at the Yavapai College Sedona Campus. All day training will take place the next day at the Yavapai College Clarkdale campus. The live pitch event will be at Blazing M Ranch on Saturday morning, April 13. 

According to Sedona Director of Economic Development Molly Spangler, the event is designed so that Verde Valley small businesses and entrepreneurs can network and receive high quality hands-on training. 

There, they can craft their business pitch and then pitch those ideas at a live event the third day for the potential to win a NACET scholarship, business services and cash.The city of Sedona and VVREO supports its local small businesses and entrepreneurs, Spangler said. They have a focus on helping residents grow and sustain in the Verde Valley. Many entrepreneurs need an opportunity to network with other like-minded people, she said. Crafting their pitch and telling their story is a needed skill set to help attract more capital and opportunity.

“We have many entrepreneurs in Sedona on the verge of success, so an event like Pioneer Pitch can give them the education and confidence they need to take the next step,” Spangler said. 

“Further, we have an even broader network of resources and partners to continue to help these entrepreneurs succeed beyond this event. 

“Entrepreneurs chose to stay in our beautiful community for our quality of life. Part of our economic development strategy is to help our entrepreneurs thrive in Sedona so they can continue to attract private investment and created jobs.

”NACET brings a team of professionals with real entrepreneurial and pitch experience as well as one of the winners of the television show “Shark Tank,” Kiersten Hathcock, founder and CEO of Mod Mom Furniture. She will be teaching at the event and delivering a keynote address.

“I’ve always been impressed with Verde Valley entrepreneurs so I’m excited to see who comes out for the Pioneer Pitch event this year,” said Hathcock, who lives in Flagstaff. 

“To those of you who are thinking about presenting your idea or company, I applaud you. It takes a lot of courage to step on the stage, but I guarantee you won’t regret it. The pitch event offers an opportunity to not only compete for cash prizes, but to learn from mentors and connect with folks who can help you launch or scale your business.”

Hathcock said when she was first starting out, everyone told her she was crazy to think she could build a furniture company having had zero carpentry experience. She proved them wrong. “It was hard not to listen to the noise but I knew I had to trust my own gut and forge on,” she said. 

“I always tell entrepreneurs to do their homework and surround themselves with smart people, but ultimately trust their own intuition about their idea or business and push through the fear of failing.”

For more information on the event, contact Spangler at 203-5117 or mspangler@sedonaaz.gov or visit vvreo.com