The Rotorua business community is in for an entertaining evening at the fourth annual Rotorua X Pitch Night.
Five aspiring businesses will pitch in front of a live audience and panel of judges on Wednesday to win a share of more than $12,000 of business support services.
Rotorua X trusteeand event director Rachael McGarvie said the line-up of pitches was varied and interesting.
"We are really pleased with the diversity of the pitches. We have food-based pitches from the decadence of a chocolate festival to the other extreme of providing healthy and affordable lunches to low decile schools.
"We have retirement-style care to help the elderly stay in their homes for longer. Then we have reducing plastic use through eco-produce bags and finally capturing the special bond with your pets."
Mrs McGarvie said to ensure the pitching teams were ready they must attend a 90-minute pitching workshop by Firestation, the central North Island business growth centre.
"In addition, all teams had an hour one-on-one session with me to help finesse their pitch."
The pitch contestants include Sarah Rosenbaum from Picture Pawfect Photography, Phillip Fitzgerald and Lizzie McGrath from The Bag Ladies, Krikitha Joseph and Vijo Madappilly Jose from Nest Healthcare, Alia Ryan from Boost Fundraising and Events and Jasmin Jackson from Ka Pai Kai Rotorua.
Each team will have eight minutes to impress the judges and showcase their business.
Pitch Night starts at 5.30pm at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology. Attendance is free, although a koha would be appreciated. The business community is encouraged to come along and help pick the crowd favourite.
