STATEWIDE — Three entrepreneurs from across the state battled it out virtually in the Big Gig Pitch-Off to help get an extra kick start to their respective businesses.
“If you get cold hands during the winter or have family or friends who complain about outdoor activities, you need to buy this product,” said Stephanie Noyes, owner of 360 Sleeves.
Tuesday was one of the three regular season episodes of the pitch-off.
The entrepreneurs competed for $500 and a ticket to the season finale in April for a shot at the grand prize of $5,000.
“We have those three entrepreneurs, they each have five minutes to pitch their early-stage business or idea. And then they receive constructive kind feedback from our judges who are usually seasoned business people and entrepreneurs in Maine,” said Emma Wilson, entrepreneurship events coordinator at the University of Maine.
Noyes pitched her battery-powered hand warmers that heat the forearms and the hand.
Veronica Stubbs pitched her bakery named The Scone Goddess to the judges.
“It’s not about how we make great scones. It’s about how easy we made it for you to make great scones,” Stubbs said.
Lastly, John Fuhrman of Bub’N Mutha’s told the judges how and why his company makes authentic Maine barbecue dry rubs.
“It’s to hire area veterans up here so they can remain in Maine and earn a living so they can support their families. So who wants to help us become the Sam Adams of barbecue, locally made and internationally known. Thank you very much,” Fuhrman said.
The event’s been going on since 2012 and Wilson says this year’s iteration going virtual hurts the entrepreneurs’ opportunity to network but it helps the event be accessible to more people across the state.
“”The virtual aspect has actually increased our reach, now that everything’s virtual. Instead of getting seven to ten applications for each event. We’re getting 18 to 25 and they’re from all over Maine,” Wilson said.
The event can be viewed on the Big Gig Facebook Page.
