10 Years of The Pitch: A Celebration You Can’t Miss

The Pitch, Elgin County’s business competition, is turning 10 this year! The grande finale is just around the corner, and it promises to be the biggest and most exciting one yet. The best part? Tickets are completely free.

What Is The Pitch?
The Pitch is an annual Dragons’ Den-style business plan competition for businesses or aspiring entrepreneurs in St. Thomas and Elgin County. Five finalists will ‘pitch’ their business idea to a panel of judges at the live finale for a chance to win a grand prize package of cash and in-kind prizes to support their venture!

What Prizes Are Available?
The valued sponsors who make this event happen will be acknowledged on our socials leading up to the event and formally recognized at the finale. The winner will receive a $50,000 package of cash and in-kind prizes, our biggest prize ever!

Why You Should Be There?
This event isn’t just a competition; it’s where entrepreneurs pitch their game-changing ideas to a panel of judges, all vying for funding to take their business to the next level.

“I wouldn’t change the experience for anything. it gave me the ability to stand in front of people, have that conversation and it pushed me outside my comfort bubble.” – Christy Gee, Harbour Cheesecake, The Pitch Finalist 2023

This Year’s Finalists
The finalists this year are bringing their A-game. The finalists are:

A Look Back: 10 Years of Success
When The Pitch started a decade ago, it was a small event with big ambitions. Our very first winner was Sarah Foshay of Smart Dental Hygiene. Fast forward to today, and she’s now the General Manager at the Elgin Business Resource Centre. Her story is just one of many successes from The Pitch competition.

“I don’t feel I would be in a position that I feel confident about Raw For Pets had I not gone through this process with The Pitch. Learning and working with the professionals to help me to analyze our company and figure out the best direction the company should be going.” – Tom Skippen, Raw For Pets, Winner of The Pitch 2024

Past Winners
10 years ago, The Pitch was brand new and an exciting opportunity for existing business owners and entrepreneurs who are starting their businesses. The one thing no one predicted during a decade of competition was Covid in 2020 and 2021. That was when everyone worked from home and kept 6 meters apart from each other. The Pitch was not allowed to take place during the pandemic.

Past Winners:
• 2024 – Raw For Pets
• 2023 – Dogs On 3
• 2022 – The Ice Box
• 2019 – Streamliners and TimberNook
• 2018 – Shebaz’s Shawarma
• 2017 – Wildflowers Tea
• 2016 – Century Chocolates
• 2015 – Smart Dental Hygiene

“I have had so many connections, so many marketing opportunities as a result of being in the pitch. I really feel the competition is worthwhile, even if I hadn’t won it.” – Tanya Buttinger, Dogs On 3, Winner of The Pitch 2023

Get Your Free Tickets
This event is free, but tickets are required, and they’re going fast. Whether you’re cheering on the finalists or networking, you’ll leave inspired.

Let’s make the 10th anniversary of The Pitch a celebration to remember!

Make sure to mark your calendar, bring your friends, and get ready to cheer for the future of Elgin County. Everyone is welcome. See you there!

Limited tickets are available. Reserve your tickets through Eventbrite: ThePitch2025.eventbrite.ca.