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The 5-minute pitch is a unique mentoring program that invites entrepreneurs with a business model or technological innovation to present two pitches to a live audience of peers, business professionals, mentors, and potential investors. Entrepreneurs present the first pitch as a dry run with no prep from mentors. Post-pitch they are matched with an expert mentor to improve their pitch. At the end of the mentor period, entrepreneurs present the 2nd pitch to a live audience for a chance at non-dilutive funding to scale their business.
The 5 Minute Pitch (5MP) provides personalized advisory and mentorship assistance to Central MA-based startups with a business model or technological innovation. The 5MP competition is designed to help companies who have an existing MVP optimize their business models and gain strategic, operational, and financial traction.
Participants selected begin their 5MP experience by presenting their current pitch decks to an audience of peers, business professionals, and mentors in Venture Forum’s network. This first pitch allows participating companies to gain exposure in Central MA’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and serves as the basis for the customized mentorship to follow.
Post-pitch, entrepreneurs are matched with an experienced mentor for approximately two months. The mentors and entrepreneurs will identify the most pressing needs of the participating company and devise a customized mentorship plan to address those needs.
At minimum, the mentor and entrepreneurs will have at least 4 meetings:
Our mentors are seasoned entrepreneurs or executive level professionals with experience launching companies and/or products. They are here to help participating companies navigate and succinctly articulate their go-to-market or growth strategies by addressing common challenges areas such as:
At the end of the mentor period, entrepreneurs present their 2nd pitch for a chance at non-dilutive funding to scale their business.
The 5MP program also includes a peer network component. Participating companies will meet as a whole cohort at least twice during the program. These meetups may include a speaker on a topic relevant to growing companies and a chance for participants to get to know each other and learn from one another.
To participate, companies must:
The program offers multiple opportunities for the competitors to engage with each other and members of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem including:
There will be a cash prize for the top 2 companies. Amounts will be disclosed at a later date.
Teams will be evaluated on*:
*Companies will be provided the evaluations guidelines after the initial pitch
Venture Forum is a startup community sparking economic growth and job creation by helping entrepreneurs launch and scale their businesses in Central Massachusetts.
The Venture Forum is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment that supports the diverse and vibrant entrepreneurial community in Central Massachusetts. See our full non-discrimination policy here.