2019 Schedule
Designer
Trout Tank Pitch Event and Demo Day
Denver is at the forefront of food industry innovation with a growing community of packaged food and beverage entrepreneurs. The Denver Metro Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Colorado Food Works are joining forces to bring Denver Startup Week a pitch competition consisting of Denver’s best up and coming food entrepreneurs.
TROUT TANK - CPG EDITION is about highlighting CPG food and beverage entrepreneurs and businesses in Colorado and giving them opportunities to sharpen their pitching skills, gain exposure, secure funding, and build connections with lenders, investors, decision-makers, and key stakeholders within the Colorado business and investing community.
Hear pitches from 5 food businesses chosen by industry leaders as they pitch their concepts in front of the local lending, investing, and business community. Who will pitch their way to victory and to the next level!?
The winner of Trout Tank – CPG Edition will walk away with a "foodtrepreneur prize pack”, which is highlighted by a $2000.00 cash prize and a formal product review from prominent national food retailers, Whole Foods and Kroger!
Judges will include:
Mike O'Donnell - Colorado Lending Source
Doug Helbig - Colorado Food Works
Rachel Kopfensteiner - King Soopers
Darcy Landis - WFM
Alex Hanifin - Alpine Start
Jim Lamcusa - Cusa Tea
Following the pitch competition, enjoy a happy hour and demo day featuring 20 entrepreneurs and businesses sharing their products with attendees.
Learn More at - http://www.denversbdc.org/trout-tank-cpg
About the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center:
The Denver Metro Small Business Development Center (SBDC) serves dedicated entrepreneurs who want to strengthen their path to success. Utilizing the powerful partnerships of the Colorado Small Business Development Center Network and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Denver Metro SBDC has been a cornerstone of the business community for over 25 years.
https://www.denversbdc.org
About Colorado Food Works:
Colorado Food Works started in 2016 with a few food industry friends getting together every month to chat about the local food and beverage scene. As word spread about the meetings, the group grew. In a matter of months, meetings grew so large more space than a restaurant table was needed. Today, with over 500 members, CFW has grown into the foremost food and beverage industry education, support, and networking group in Denver.
https://www.coloradofoodworks.org
About Trout Tank:
The Denver Metro SBDC created Trout Tank in 2014 in order to provide pitch training and exposure to Colorado's entrepreneurs. Through the Trout Tank: Pitch Accelerator, entrepreneurs will perfect their pitch and gain the skills they need to secure funding. This training culminates in the Trout Tank: Pitch Event where the top businesses pitch for the lending, investing, and business community.