The Santa Fe Business Incubator (SFBI) and Creative Santa Fe presented PITCH Your Way to RUNWAY!, a fast-paced pitch event that gave artists and entrepreneurs at any stage 120 seconds to pitch a new idea to a friendly audience and receive valuable feedback from experienced community commentators. All ideas were welcomed – a new cat brush, a killer app, an uncarbonated soda, an artist retreat for llamas, or a holographic wrist watch – anything went and no idea was turned away. So whether you were pitching or participating as our esteemed audience, over 80 people came out for a free beer and some munchies and helped us by voting on who would win the donation-based* cash prize. Select PITCH Participants received an invite to participate in a special edition of the SFBI’s RUNWAY pre-incubation program (for free!).
*$5 cash donation/person suggested in exchange for a ballot to vote for your favorite PITCH (all $ collected was awarded to the night’s winning PITCH). Snacks and one free beer were included with your donation.
Limited # of PITCH participant and audience slots available. Registration required.
MEET THE COMMENTATORS
Alex Hanna
Founder + Owner
Invisible City Designs + Chair of the Arts Commission
Alex Hanna graduated from Yale University with a degree in Art History. After teaching in Asia and on the East Coast for 5 years Alex moved to Santa Fe to work as Nedra Matteucci Galleries’ head of marketing and design. He started his own creative agency, Invisible City Designs, 12 years ago. Alex has also been an adjunct faculty member of Santa Fe University of Art & Design where he taught a class on branding. He currently serves as the Chair of the Arts Commission for the City of Santa Fe and is psyched to hear you pitch your fresh business ideas.
Liz Camacho
Economic Development + Communications Administrator
City of Santa Fe’s Office of Economic Development (OED)
Liz Camacho joined Santa Fe’s OED in 2018. Prior to her life as a public servant, she spent over a decade as a brand strategist, helping to connect brands to culture through a variety of projects for brands as diverse as Nissan, Absolut, Dove Chocolate, Nivea and Emergen-C in places like Europe, Russia, the US and Latin America. Over the last two years, Liz has used her market research, communication and moderating skills to better understand and articulate residents’ and businesses’ vision for Santa Fe. She has helped on projects such as Midtown, the Food Sector, and strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. Liz has a healthy appetite for subcultures, yoga and language and an unhealthy one for chocolate.
Marie Longserre
President + CEO
Santa Fe Business Incubator (SFBI)
Marie is all about fusing entrepreneurial dreams with business incubation. A recognized leader in business incubation and entrepreneurial development, Marie has led business incubation and economic development trainings and presentations in NM, across the US and globally. Under her leadership the SFBI has reaped numerous awards for excellence. Marie earned dual BS degrees in Communications and Education from the University of TX and has oodles of experience in business management, accounting, and entrepreneurial coaching. Marie currently serves on multiple advisory councils and boards and is thrilled to welcome some fresh faces to pitching and participating in the SFBI’s RUNWAY pre-incubation program.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE ARTS
In March 2019 Creative Santa Fe hosted The Future of Art: A Disruptive Futures Dialogue. Program audiences were asked the question “What are some new projects we can initiate now to support our arts community?” Attendees identified over 220 ideas in response, – with a high percentage addressing the need for more professional development opportunities for artists in Santa Fe. Our partnership with the Santa Fe Business Incubator for this event hopes to bridge that gap and provide the local creative economy with business training and exposure opportunities.
This event is hosted in partnership with:
