Start Peninsula Announces New Brand, 2021 Host and Event Schedule

Start Peninsula is pleased to announce that it will return for its tenth annual year in 2021 with a new brand and multiple events. Beginning next month, Start Peninsula will host a series of four micro pitch competitions held throughout the year. At each micro pitch event, there will be three winners and two alternate winners selected. Micro pitch event dates are March 18, April 21, September 15 and October 6.

Each of the micro pitch winners will be invited to participate in the Start Peninsula main event on Wednesday, November 3. All events are virtual. Prior to each micro pitch event, a Pitch Perfect event will be held. The dates for Pitch Perfect events are March 3, March 31, August 24 and September 22.

Early stage businesses are invited to apply to participate in a micro pitch event. A maximum of 15 pitches will occur at each micro pitch event. If a business is invited to participate in a micro pitch event, they must pay a fee of $50 before the event. At the main event in November, the top three winners of the twelve pitchers will each receive $5,000 to fuel their business growth and free access to local resources. The top three winners from each micro pitch event will receive $500 to fuel their business at the conclusion of the series of events in November.

Start Peninsula builds entrepreneurship on the Peninsula and celebrates our local entrepreneurial ecosystem.  The event helps develop early stage businesses – those with a product or service that is still being brought to fruition and connects those entrepreneurs with opportunities to validate their business ideas and earn capital. Dozens of entrepreneurs connect with business leaders and mentors during Start Peninsula. The event is backed by six regional Economic Development Authorities, who are eager to support entrepreneurship.

“We are excited to continue the momentum in 2021 that Start Peninsula has built, to help discover, validate, and grow our entrepreneurial businesses.  We are proud to be part of such an excellent example of regional collaboration and success supported by the leadership of each community involved,” said Florence Kingston, Newport News Director of Development.

In 2020, Start Peninsula was hosted by James City County, part of the Greater Williamsburg area. The winners included Chair One Fitness, Hottrok and Wave Coffee Brewer. Since 2012, there have been nearly 250 business ideas pitched at this event.

Start Peninsula 2021 is hosted by the City of Newport News, in partnership with the Cities of Hampton, Williamsburg and Poquoson and the Counties of James City and York. Start Peninsula has been held annually in different Peninsula localities since 2012. For more information about Start Peninsula please visit its website, Facebook page or the FAQ page.