What is FastPitch?
FastPitch identifies promising entrepreneurs starting new ventures or growing existing ones and gives them the opportunity to pitch their innovative endeavors in front of a live audience.
The first FastPitch event took place in 2011 and is Savannah's first startup pitch competition. The annual business pitch event is hosted by The Creative Coast and made possible by generous sponsors and partners. Contestants pitch to win money for their startups from a cash prize pool.
FastPitch was designed for students, early-stage companies, and established businesses who want to launch or expand their businesses. Whether you're only in the concept phase, re-inventing your business model, or expanding on your business with a new idea, you're a fit!
Finalists have 5 minutes each to present their endeavors to a panel of judges for the chance to win prize money. All finalists will need to have a Google Slide deck prepared ahead of the event.
The next FastPitch will take place in Spring of 2024. Scroll to read more details in the FAQ...
Have Questions About or Interested in Sponsoring FastPitch 2024?
Email kaitlin@thecreativecoast.org with questions about applying or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
FastPitch 2023 Finalists & Winners
WINNERS
First Place - $5,000
Danietté A Thomas, Founder of The Arionna Collection
Second Place - $2,500
Jermain & Whaketa Hargrove, Founders of The Animation TV Network; Presented by Micah King
Third Place - $1,500
Sherone Hubbard, Founder of OSH Consulting
Audience Choice Vote - Winner of Apple Laptop
Danietté A Thomas, Founder of The Arionna Collection
ALL FINALISTS
Brett Baines for HumbleHQ
Chrissy Earl & Wheeler Flemming for FanDab
Sherone Hubbard for OSH Consulting, LLC
Lorna Kangethe for NextAI
Micah King for The Animation TV Network
Kelly Morris for Port City Kitchen
Tyiana Sansbury for BAWDY
Danietté A. Thomas for The Arionna Collection
Zachary Tyler for Vistos
FastPitch FAQ
FastPitch is Savannah's first business pitch competition, which launched in 2012. FastPitch identifies promising entrepreneurs starting new ventures or growing existing ones and gives them the opportunity to pitch their innovative endeavors in front of a live audience, including investors. Finalists will have 5-minutes each to present for the chance to win a cash prize. The pitch must include a slide deck.
FastPitch typically takes place in spring. In 2023 and 2022, FastPitch took place in May. Stay tuned for an official announcement in early 2024.
TBD!
FastPitch was designed for anyone living in the Southeastern Georgia vicinity (for example - Savannah, Statesboro, Hinesville, Brunswick, Hilton Head, Beaufort, and any areas surrounding Savannah or nearby.) with a business idea. Students, early-stage companies, and established businesses who want to launch or expand their businesses should apply. Whether you're only in the concept phase, re-inventing your business model, or expanding on your business with a new idea, you're a fit!
In order to compete at FastPitch, you must first complete an application. A committee reviews the applications after the application window closes, and finalists are then announced.
No!
Typically one to two weeks after the application window closes.
Each contestant will have 5 minutes to pitch.
Yes. All finalists must prepare a slide deck for the final pitch event. There will be an opportunity to review your slide deck with an experienced mentor ahead of the event.
Yes. There will be a mentorship and feedback. Selected finalists will receive details on May 5th via email.
Google Slides. All finalists will need to prepare their slide decks in Google Slides. If you have an existing slide deck in PowerPoint, keynote, pdf, etc., the slide deck will need to be converted to a Google Slide presentation before being submitted to The Creative Coast. After you are selected, you will be notified of a Google Slide deck due date, which is typically at least two to three business days before the final event.
No. All finalists MUST be present at Service Brewing on May 24th to pitch live and in-person.
Only the person pitching and the founders of the company may attend for free. If friends and family would like to attend, they'll need to purchase a $30 ticket ($36.22 with Eventbrite fee and taxes) to the event. Tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE.
Ticket are not yet on sale for FastPitch 2024. Check back in early 2024 for an announcement and subscribe to our newsletter to stay in-the-know.
FastPitch 2023 Sponsors
