The Company Lab is currently seeking applications for the annual Will This Float? pitch night on Nov. 19, at the Chattanooga Public Library’s Fourth Floor.
Will This Float? celebrates the diversity of the creative and entrepreneurial spirit, showcasing up-and-
coming innovators from across the Chattanooga region. Participants will contend in an exciting pitch
competition, and prize packages will be awarded based on the viability of their business ideas. Sponsors include BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee; Chambliss, Bahner and Stophel; Baker Donelson; Henderson Hutcherson and Mccullough; Miller and Martin; Launch Tennessee; and the Lyndhurst Foundation.
“Will This Float? is a great representation of the energy and excitement that surrounds our thriving startup community,” said Mike Bradshaw, the director of The Company Lab. “Every year, we’re thrilled to see both fresh and seasoned entrepreneurs come out of the woodwork and test the waters with their business ideas. We’re expecting big things for 2013.”
Will This Float? applicants are selected based on the Company Lab’s F.L.O.A.T. criteria:
• Few direct competitors (Is this a novel idea?)
• Low adoption/switching costs (Will customers use this?)
• On-time entry to market (Is the window of opportunity open? )
• Addresses unfilled need or want (Does this solve a real problem?)
• Target market is identified and large (Who are the customers?)
The Company Lab is looking for business ideas across a broad range of industries and sectors, including technology, consumer products, design, the local food economy, the outdoor industry and environmental sustainability services.
Submissions will be narrowed to a maximum of 10 finalists, who will have three minutes to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges and a large crowd of local entrepreneurs, business professionals, potential mentors and team members and interested Chattanoogans. Using feedback from judges as well as crowd-sourced voting, The Company Lab will award prizes to the ideas that “float” best.
This year’s event marks the fourth annual Will This Float? pitch night. In past years, a total of 28 startup ideas have been pitched, and winning entrepreneurs have raised a combined $4.624 million in capital.
Last year, Will This Float? drew more than 400 attendees.
Applications must be submitted by Nov. 5. For more information and to apply, visit colab.is/what-we-
do/will-this-float.