Business Lab is an eight-week, cohort-based program for entrepreneurs who are ready to turn a clear business idea into an actionable plan. Small groups of six to eight participants meet weekly for three-hour sessions that blend teaching, hands-on exercises, and peer learning. Over the course of the program, each participant builds two core deliverables: a Business Case — a streamlined, practical alternative to a full business plan — and a six-minute Pitch that they present at a community event in the final week.

The Artists, Growers, & Makers Business Lab is a variation on our general Business Lab, designed especially for product-based entrepreneurs turning passions into thriving businesses. It grew out of our recognition that product-based entrepreneurs face distinct challenges — from production costs and pricing to wholesale relationships and marketplace selling — that deserve focused attention.

Pitch competitions can energize your community, shine a spotlight on local entrepreneurs, and inspire people to invest in small-town innovation. This guide was created to help you do exactly that — with tools, examples, and lessons learned from nearly a decade of running the PitchFork Challenge at the Hannah Grimes Center in Keene, NH.