A fast moving and fun pitch event, designed to engage, inspire, and improve the quality of ideas in our startup community. Three early-stage founders will give a pitch, then answer questions. Attendees provide feedback and can connect with the founder through a private web form. Pitch-In is powered by BootSector.

Pitch Format:

• 5 Minutes to Pitch
• 5 Minutes of Moderated Q&A
• 5 Minutes to fill out Feedback Form.

Event Agenda:

• Networking from 5:30-6pm
• Speakers start promptly at 6pm
• Wrap-up by 7pm
• Lobby bar closes at 8pm

Who Should Attend?

Are you a founder with an idea? An entrepreneur stumped by a roadblock? Love to give feedback and pay-it-forward? Want to work with a startup? Then this event is for you.

How Do I Sign Up to Pitch? If you want to pitch, please register now for an "I want to pitch" ticket. Pitch slots are limited. In order to pitch, at least 24 hours before the event, you must send the following to Pitch-In@joinbootsector.com:

• Pitch Deck
• Logo
• Your "Ask"

Pitch-In will select three presenters to pitch each week. If you're an alternate, please come to Pitch-In to capitalize on a no-show. Anyone can revise and apply for the next Pitch-In.

Sponsors

BootSector is proud to power conversations like these that build our startup community. Interested in sponsoring Pitch-In? Contact Sponsorships@joinbootsector.com

FAQs

• Where is the event? This event takes place in the Seneca One Tower Main Lobby, One Seneca St, Buffalo, NY.
• Where can I park? Free on-street parking begins at 5pm, or use the parking ramp at 50 Exchange Street. More directions on getting to Seneca One available here: https://senecaonebuffalo.com/2021/04/19/so-youre-coming-to-seneca-one/
• Any tips for my pitch? Be specific in your "ask." You can ask for help on tech, operations, law, accounting, investor perspective, consumer reactions, marketing, user experience, team mates, co-founders... really anything. Please also make sure you fit your pitch into 5 minutes. We have to be hard on this to be fair to others. Practice! Do not make a pitch to sell the audience on using your existing products or services. Pitch-In is an event to try out new things and get you past road-blocks. Consider bringing someone to take notes for you during Q&A.
• Do I need to bring my own equipment? No! We will set up your pitch deck on a laptop and projector ahead of time. Please use PowerPoint, Keynote, PDF, or the URL of your pitch. Please don't expect sound, and please be prepared to deal with potential technical issues. This event will be recorded and livestreamed.
• I've never pitched before! Help! If you don’t have a pitch deck, that’s OK! Here’s an outline that covers the typical topics you should cover. With luck, this will get you past your audience’s typical questions, and into the meat of a better conversation.

1. Intro – Who are you, what’s your startup name, and where are you in this journey? Anyone ages 8-80 should get it.
2. Problem – Why is there a need? Tell a really short story to put the audience in your customer’s shoes
3. Solution – How do you make it better?
4. Market – Total Size; target part you serve; what’s unique about you?
5. Team – Your role and others; who are you looking for?
6. Financials – How does your idea make money? Do you need money to start? How long will it take until you're profitable? And how profitable can it be?
7. Ask – Specifically, what obstacles must you overcome next? Not just money.