Peak Pitch Vermont Gives Entrepreneurs a Lift

FreshTracks Capital announces the return of Peak Pitch Vermont on March 10th.  Now in its seventh year, Peak Pitch gives entrepreneurs and investors an exciting opportunity to network on the slopes of the Sugarbush Resort.  Peak Pitch brings entrepreneurs and investors together for a unique version of the classic "elevator pitch." In the traditional elevator pitch, entrepreneurs take advantage of an opportunity to share an elevator ride with a potential investor and present their business idea.  At Peak Pitch, a shared chairlift ride gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business plans to a variety of venture capitalists, angel investors, commercial lenders, and other entrepreneurial advisors as they ride up the mountain on a chair lift.

Peak Pitch combines business networking and skiing or boarding in an informal setting while providing the opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors to connect with the resources they need to grow their businesses.  "Last year we had a great turnout for a day of skiing, fundraising and networking," said Cairn Cross, Co-Founder and Managing Director at FreshTracks Capital.  This year we are expecting strong attendance at our new venue: Sugarbush.  Many of the past attendees have said that this is their 'best' day of work of the year, and that they have made invaluable business connections by participating in Peak Pitch.  "One of last year's participans said: "What a fantastic event! The feedback I received was an incredible turning point in the process of starting my business.  I feel I have clear direction on next steps and a great network of contacts and resources to make it happen."

This year David Deutsch of David N. Deutsch & Company will be the keynote speaker at the event.  Founder and President of David N. Deutsch & Company, David runs a successful New York-based investment banking practice, providing financing and advisory services to middle-market companies and their owners.  David has been a frequent participant of Peak Pitch in the past, offering valuable advice to entrepreneurs, and will inspire the attendees with his knowlege and experiences of the entrepreneurial climate and speaking on "Planning the Perfect Exit."

The Peak Pitch Vermont 2011 event is sponsored by: Champlain College BYOBiz, Fleischer Jacobs Group, Gallagher, Flynn & Company, Harbor Light Capital Partners, Merritt, Merritt & Moulton, University of Vermont Ventures and Technology Commercialization,  Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies, VT Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development, and VSJF Flexible Capital Fund, This event is free to entrepreneurs who want to network and free to investors and advisors who are interested in hearing pitches from local businesses and willing to provide helpful feedback and counsel.

The Peak Pitch '11 program will include two events to support the entrepreneurial communities of New York and Vermont. To learn more about the Peak Pitch 2011 series, please visit http://www.peakpitch.com/.  To sign up for FreshTracks' Peak Pitch event at Sugarbush, visit http://www.peakpitch.com/sugarbush.html Attendance is limited to 100 participants.