Globe entrepreneurs attend Moonshot’s AZ Pioneer Pitch Tour

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On May 5 and 6, Globe entrepreneurs came out to attend Moonshot’s fifth stop on their annual statewide AZ Pioneer Pitch Tour, sponsored by APS. This business startup pitch competition is in its third year, but this was the city of Globe’s first time participating. Over the course of the day-and-a-half event held at the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts, applicants were mentored and coached by the Moonshot staff including a winner of the ABC TV Network’s “Shark Tank,” Kiersten Hathcock of Mod Mom Furniture.

“I love working with startup founders, and this stop in Globe is especially rewarding because all of the business ideas are viable and all of the pitch applicants are women,” Hathcock said.

Linda Oddonetto, Globe’s Economic & Community Development Director, was responsible for bringing the Pioneer Pitch Tour to Globe with assistance from Southern Gila County Economic Development Corporation, who provided the local prize money.

“This event is all about creating an entrepreneurial spark, one that we intend to build on year after year. We are only getting started, and I’m excited to partner with Moonshot to see where our efforts lead,” Oddonetto said.

Moonshot President & CEO Scott Hathcock and Globe Mayor Al Gameros awarded the prize money to all four winners.

The $1,000 first-place prize went to Erika Flores for her protein and supplement shake company, 3,2,1 GO!

The second-place prize, $750, went to Regina Ortega-Leonardi of E-Volve Adventure Rentals.

Two third-place winners received $500 each—Erika Franco for Erika’s Salsas and Shanndell Lowe for Arlairian Arts.

Globe’s first place winner will attend Moonshot’s annual banquet, the Shoemaker Awards at Little America in Flagstaff, on June 17 for a chance to compete for the $10,000 1st prize statewide award.

All four winners received an annual scholarship from Moonshot valued at $3,000 per scholarship.

Moonshot is an Arizona-based, 22-year-old 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help subject matter experts bring products and services to market and help cities develop entrepreneurial ecosystems that create jobs for the local economy.