Local innovators to compete in idea-pitch competition Friday

Local innovators and would-be entrepreneurs will be honing their idea-pitching skills at an event Friday being organized by the Columbus Area Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Ignite Columbus competition will feature 10 participants and prizes will be awarded for the best pitches says Cindy Frey, president of the Chamber.

There will be $2,500 in prizes awarded thanks to sponsorships by Heritage Fund and German American Bank.

Frey says that the description for Ignite Columbus is to “Enlighten Us, but make it quick!”

Frey says being able to make a pitch to investors is a critical skill for modern entrepreneurs. Participants will have to give their 5-minute pitches with a series of slides that will advance relentlessly every 15 seconds.

Ignite Columbus will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at IU’s J. Irwin Miller Architecture building at 333 Second Street in downtown Columbus. You can get more information and sign up to attend at  columbusfishtank.com