FirstBank, which has 17 banking locations throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan area, announced the five Arizona finalist companies of its the “FirstBank $20,000 Elevator Pitch Business Contest” where it will award one Arizona-based winner with $20,000.
The five companies are:
- Pinspiration
- Co+Hoots
- Brelby Theatre Company
- Cake Art Studio
- Nancy’s Jewelry and Clothing
The public is invited to vote for the final winner through Thursday at midnight. To watch the videos and vote for a winner, visit FirstBank’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/efirstbank.
Contest participants were asked to submit a 90-second, “elevator pitch” style video explaining how the money will help them accelerate their business and reach their goals.
“Small- and medium-sized businesses are the engine that drives Arizona’s economy, and as a community bank, we recognize that our success is dependent on the overall health of the local markets we serve,” said, John Ikard, President and CEO of FirstBank Holding Company. “We launched the FirstBank $20,000 Elevator Pitch Business Contest to not only highlight our support of local businesses, but also to help showcase some of Arizona’s most innovative and entrepreneurial companies.”
The top five were selected by a panel of outside business experts, including Michael Gossie, Editor-in-Chief of AZ Big Media which includes Az Business magazine and other publications; Rick Murray, CEO of the Arizona Small Business Association; Patrick O’Grady, Managing Editor of the Phoenix Business Journal; and Todd Sanders, President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. The judges reviewed the entries from a select a pool of semi-finalists to select the five finalists. The Challenge entries were judged based on the following criteria:
- Content (50%)
- Creativity (30%)
- Originality (20%)
FirstBank has a long history of supporting local businesses with innovative contests, promotions and marketing campaigns, in addition to offering a wide-range of competitive business-banking products and services. Additionally, FirstBank is a major supporter of nonprofits in areas where its employees live and work. The bank contributed nearly $5 million to charities in Colorado, Arizona and California last year.
In addition to Arizona, FirstBank also launched its Elevator Pitch Business Contest in Colorado. One Colorado business will also win $20,000. The bank opened its first location in Arizona in 2007, and now has 17 branches located in the greater Phoenix area.
For more information on the FirstBank Elevator Pitch Business Contest, including official rules and deadlines, visit: http://shout.lt/bc5rq.
