Soapbox: CSU business pitch contest among nation's richest

Fort Collins is known as a hub for entrepreneurial activity and small business growth. One of the most important ways we at Blue Ocean Enterprises can showcase our thriving local business environment is through our support of the second annual CSU Blue Ocean Enterprises Challenge May 27-30.

The CSU Blue Ocean Enterprises Challenge is one of the richest business pitch competitions in the nation. The competition provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to present their ideas to panels of expert judges for a chance to win $250,000 cash and other prizes. As a community celebration of business innovation, the challenge aims to identify emerging leaders and support young companies that have the potential to create jobs.

For the 28 competitors in this year's CSU Blue Ocean Enterprises Challenge, the experience of competing is transformational and can jumpstart their young businesses. Competitors have many opportunities to get to know fellow competitors, interact with our vibrant entrepreneurial community and learn from each other. Through Blue Ocean Enterprises' partnership with Colorado State University, we offer the competitors educational workshops with business experts and networking events that build relationships.

In fact, collegiate teams from across Colorado have their own competition within the challenge on May 27. The winner receives $20,000, a spot in the Enterprise Competition (May 29-30) and valuable networking with the established startups from across the country. Collegiate teams have another opportunity on May 29 to make their pitch to judges aboard Fort Collins' historic trolley, near our offices on Mountain Avenue, for a unique twist on the elevator pitch. The best pitcher under pressure will win $2,000.

Small companies and budding leaders are the next generation of our economy. I invite you to attend the CSU Blue Ocean Enterprises Challenge for a peek at the innovative ideas, ingenious solutions and entrepreneurial vision of the future.

All pitch competition events take place in front of live audiences at the Lory Student Center on the CSU campus and are free to the public. Check out www.blueoceanchallenge.com to register to attend and learn more about how you can get involved.

Curt Richardson, who lives in Fort Collins, is creator of OtterBox and founded Blue Ocean Enterprises.