Launch Greensboro's annual Capital Connects pitch competition is coming up on March 4 - and more than $20,000 in prize money and in-kind services is at stake. Jennifer Hensel, assistant director of Launch Greensboro, sits down with 2013 Capital Connects winner Ryan Pratt, CEO of Guerilla RF, to discuss his experience in the competition.
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00:26 - Brent sets the stage for today’s host, Jennifer Hensel, assistant director of Launch Greensboro. She and Ryan Pratt, founder and CEO of Guerrilla RF will be introducing an event coming to Greensboro, Capital Connects which will be coming up in March of 2020. Ryan shares his background and shares what his company does.
02:28 - Jennifer gives context to what she and Ryan will be talking about for those who are not in the entrepreneur world, just so they are able to follow along with the conversation. She explains what Capital Connects is and how it helps entrepreneurs and investors.
04:19 - Ryan and Jennifer answer, “What do you think makes a great pitch?” and “What kinds of companies should apply and present at Capitol Connects?”
06:39 - Jennifer asks what year Ryan participated in Capital Connects. He explains what led him to apply for the event and details his experience was. Ryan shares his entrepreneurial successes.
13:20 - Jennifer asks Ryan what it felt like to be on stage pitching his business idea to investors against other competent entrepreneurs in a competitive environment. Jennifer also asks what it was like to push personal boundaries and to grow from it.
17:00 - Ryan tells the story of when his business had one week’s worth of expenses left and how he handled and overcame the situation.
20:43 - Jennifer asks Ryan to describe his relationship with his investors. We learn the process of having a phone call conversation versus a meeting with an investor?
24:32 - Jennifer explains more about Capitol Connects detailing the competition and the prize winners are competing for. Ryan talks about how back when he competed and won, there was no prize money.
26:59 - Since the success of Ryan’s business through Capitol Connects, Ryan has been an audience member and even a judge for the program. Jennifer asks what it’s like to hear different companies compete now that the roles are reversed.
29:37 - Ryan shares advice for the companies pitching on March 4th along with uplifting parting words for entrepreneurs wanting to build a company and stay local.
Register for Capital Connects: bit.ly/2020CapitalConnects
Learn more about Guerilla RF: guerrilla-rf.com
Visit the Chamber website at greensboro.org.
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Recorded and Edited by Press Play Studios
Visit the Chamber website at greensboro.org.
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