Call for Entrepreneurs: Applications Being Accepted to Compete in the 4th Annual Fast Pitch Greater Palm Springs

 

PALM SPRINGS – The Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP) and Desert Business Association (DBA) join forces this April to celebrate Riverside County Innovation Month. As part of the event, local entrepreneurs are invited to participate in the region’s signature Innovation Month event, Fast Pitch Greater Palm Springs.

Fast Pitch Greater Palm Springs will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mary Pickford Theater is D’Place, 36850 Pickfair St, Cathedral City, CA 92234 on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. For safety reasons, this Fast Pitch event is not open to the public.

Entrepreneurs and innovators from all across the Coachella Valley are welcome  to apply to pitch their ideas to a panel of four expert judges. Would-be competitors can submit ideas in one of three focus areas: technology; product or service; or pandemic business pivot.

“This competition is designed to highlight innovation in our region,” said Laura James, CVEP’s VP of Innovation.  “And while there’s a perception that Greater Palm Springs is a community of leisure, we know there’s so much more innovation happening here. Highlighting our region’s innovators as part of a highly visible, county-wide competition helps us break the stereotype of the Valley as just a golf and retirement destination.”

Those selected to compete will have access to coaching and guidance prior to the competition. Prizes with a combined value of more than $1,000 will be awarded to top contestants. The judges of Fast Pitch Greater Palm Springs will have the option to send one technology-focused competitor forward to the next phase of competition, the Riverside County Fast Pitch Finale, to be held virtually on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, where the top prize is $10,000. The Riverside County Fast Pitch Finale 2021 is accepting only technology-focused competitors. Competition guidelines for the local Greater Palm Springs competition and the countywide competition are available at About — Riverside County Innovation Month (rivcoinnovation.org).

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information on sponsorships or to apply to compete, visit CVEP.com. Application deadline is Thursday, April 1.

About CVEP

The mission of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership is to incite a vision-driven economic transformation in the Greater Palm Springs region. Established in 1994, the nonprofit organization is a vital innovator of regional business development initiatives, fostering entrepreneurship and diversifying industry. As the only regional entity with the capacity to execute technology-led economic development, the partnership has dedicated significant resources to incubate cutting edge businesses through its pioneering iHubs in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and Indio. CVEP is committed to promoting a diversified, year-round economy through business attraction, retention, and expansion. Visit www.cvep.com or call 760-340-1575.

About Desert Business Association

The Desert Business Association (DBA), established in 1979, is the LGBTQ and Ally Chamber of Commerce for the entire Coachella Valley. With over 320 members, they advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in business and social practices, and welcome all who share those values. Visit www.DesertBusiness.org.

 

Photo caption: CVEP CEO Joe Wallace with Janina Soto and Cesar C. Hernandez, co-founders of luxury footwear rental company LuxBodega, which won 3rd place in the 2019 Fast Pitch Greater Palm Springs.

Image Sources

  • Fast pitch winners: CVEP