For the fourth year, the Miller Lite Tap the Future® business plan competition will offer entrepreneurs from across the country an opportunity to take their businesses to the next level.
Tap the Future is kicking off the Live Pitch Tour, making stops in Houston, Philadelphia, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles. Chosen from a pool of more than 13,000 applicants, five semifinalists will pitch at each stop in front of a panel of judges for $20,000 and an opportunity to advance to the finals. The winning business from each event will present before a national panel of judges at MillerCoors’ Chicago headquarters in September, where the winning team with the best business plan and strongest pitch will receive the grand prize of $200,000.
“Miller Lite celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners through Tap the Future. It’s the same drive and passion that startups have today that fueled the origins of our brewery more than 150 years ago,” states Steve Canal, MillerCoors, national community affairs. “This is our fourth year hosting this competition and we’re just as excited to see the phenomenal work of these entrepreneurs as they are to pitch to the judges.”
Each contestant will be evaluated by a top-notch panel of business executives led by serial entrepreneur, author and TV personality Daymond John from ABC’s “Shark Tank.” The businesses will be evaluated according to specific criteria and contestants will receive valuable feedback from John.
“I’m looking forward to hearing the pitches from this years’ semifinalists,” said John. “It’s a great opportunity for the contestants to practice the art of pitching to an investor and putting together a solid business plan. It truly is a great learning experience with the benefit of potentially securing funding that’s free and clear.”
In addition to John, the Live Pitch events will be hosted by Kenny Burns, senior vice president of marketing for Combs Enterprises, author of The Dream is Real and founder of the lifestyle online magazine studio43.com. This year’s judging panel will also include Sulaiman “Su” Sanni and Ben Lamson, co-owners of WeDidIt, a tech company that helps nonprofits crowdfund and reach new donors through web, mobile and analytics. Sanni and Lamson are past recipients of a MillerCoors business grant. When asked What should an aspiring entrepreneur know and do in preparation for a live pitch of a business concept? “You need to practice the pitch with as many different people as possible before presenting in front of Daymond John. Focus on delivering your business concept in a way that even your grandmother can understand its value and why people would be interested. But most importantly, let your personality compliment your business idea. Show your enthusiasm and quirkiness,” the WeDidIt founders suggest.
Each city will also feature guest judges comprised of past winners and seasoned business owners.
LIVE PITCH TOUR SCHEDULE
• Houston – July 19
• Philadelphia – July 21
• Miami – July 26
• Atlanta – July 28
• Chicago – August 2
• Los Angeles – August 10
Live Pitch guests will be able to connect with other likeminded business owners. Three randomly selected entrepreneurs will have the chance to deliver a one-minute business pitch and receive valuable feedback from John and the panel of experts. The best impromptu pitch will win a $500 prize. All of the Live Pitch events are open to guests 21 and older. For more tour details, official rules or to RSVP, visit www.MLTaptheFuture.com/events. Consumers also can follow Miller Lite on Facebook and Twitter @MillerLite.
