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Hannah Grimes Center
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PitchFork Challenge

What is PitchFork?

This regional pitch competition is all about bringing people together, creating a relaxed space for networking, and showcasing exciting ideas and businesses. The program kicks off with an orientation where you’ll meet your fellow pitchers, talk judging criteria, and dive into the nitty gritty details of the competition. After that, you’ll join two interactive pitch feedback sessions, where you’ll practice and get advice from different coaches each week. The competition also includes a closed elimination round, and wraps up with a lively public pitch event where the winner takes home $5,000.

This uniquely local solution provides fun, low-key networking events for the community to learn about promising ideas and businesses that will help pave the way for a more idea-friendly and vibrant local economy. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!

PitchFork Local Investing

“The Hannah Grimes Center has been instrumental in the success of our business. The guidance and information we have received through participation in the Food Biz Lab, 1:1 Coaching, and the Business Incubator, as well as the monetary awards we have won by participating in their pitch competitions has allowed us to sustain and grow our business much faster and with more confidence than if we were doing it on our own.”

Dan Field

Owner, Bending Branch Farm (2022 PitchFork Challenge Winner)

NewFinn Designs (2023 Semi-finalst)

Aahana’s (2022 Semi-finalist)

Bending Branch Farm (2022 Winners)

PitchFork Judges

Broken Boat Farm (2023 Winner)

Humble Oak Consulting (2022 Semi-finalist)

PitchFork Challenge 2025

Eligibility

  • Your business must be located in one of the following counties
    • NH: All counties
    • VT: Windham, Bennington, Windsor
    • MA: Franklin
  • Your business must be located in a town of 30,000 pop. or less
  • Your business must be revenue generating
  • Your annual revenues must not exceed $150,000

Schedule

All events are in-person at HGC and mandatory for participation.

  • Tuesday, 5/13 Kickoff/Orientation
  • Tuesday, 5/20 Pitch Feedback Session
  • Tuesday, 6/1 Pitch Feedback Session
  • Friday, 6/13 Closed Elimination Round (Semi-Finals)
  • Friday, 6/20 Public PitchFork Challenge Finals

Application Process

Wednesday, 4/23 Virtual Information Session

The information session is not mandatory, but is a great opportunity to meet some of the people involved in the program and figure out if it’s the right fit for you. Register here.

Tuesday, 5/6 Applications Due

If you are new to Hannah Grimes, please complete our new client process below before applying for the PitchFork Challenge. Existing clients can go ahead and apply with the button below.

Apply Here