WHAT IS PITCH NIGHT?

OVERVIEW

Pitch Night is a small business and startup pitch competition hosted, planned, and presented by the Umpqua Economic Development Partnership (UEDP). This competition presents residents of Douglas County, Oregon with a great opportunity to pitch their businesses or business idea to a panel of judges. Pitch Night is available to entrepreneurs from every walk of life, background, lifestyle, and demographic. Part of the beauty of launching a new business, exploring an idea, or stepping into an opportunity is literally anyone can do it – with the right set of skills and proper motivation.

The Pitch Night process is meant to open doors to success in your future entrepreneurial endeavors and give you a chance to win funds and supportive services to kick-start your business idea.

Each participant will be given five minutes total to describe their business or business idea including how the funds will be used, followed by a five-minute Q&A period from our panel of judges.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be residents of Douglas County, Oregon.
• The business must be headquartered within Douglas County, Oregon.
• The pitch must be for a business or an idea less than three years old.
• Participants must be 18 or older.
• Businesses must be for-profit and be able to show that they have a sustainable future.
• Applicants must attend Orientation Night, Practice Night, and Pitch Night to be selected.

FORMAT AND SCHEDULE

• The 2025 Pitch Night schedule features three qualifying events followed by a Grand Prize Night.

Qualifying Events                                    Grand Prize Night

March 6, 2025                                            October 23, 2025

June 19, 2025

September 4, 2025

All of the details and requirements of participants can be found in the Pitch Night Handbook.