Recording of the 2022 ELC pitch competitionThank you to EBSCO for sponsoring the pitch competition!
Results!
1st place: $2,250 Kate Davis and John Butler Jersey City Free Public Library (New Jersey) “Uncut Gems: Promoting Minority Immigrant and Female Entrepreneurs in Jersey City“
2nd place: $1,000 Audra Espinoza Hastings Public Library (Nebraska) “MOVERS and Shakers: Making Entrepreneurship Accessible In Rural Settings”
3rd: place $500 + audience choice award: an additional $750 Katie Jeleniewski and Kate Hammond Middletown Township Public Library (New Jersey) “MAKERS MAKE BUSINESS: Supporting Our Community Crafter Entrepreneurs”
4th/5th: $250 Mary Guillory Xavier University of Louisiana Library “Makers Dive In”
4th/5th: $250 Corey Frederick and Chad L’eplattenier Nashville Public Library (Tennessee) “NPL Means Business to the High School”
Thank you to our pitch consultant:
Jenn Henselserved as our pitch consultant, providing one-on-one consultations with each contestant (as she also did for ELC 2020), as well as providing training in the “how to pitch” workshop (see video below). She is a seasoned entrepreneurial advisor and pitch expert offering an individualized, no nonsense approach centered around meeting clients where they are. Her coaching style is distinguished by how authentically invested she is in the success of her clients. She teaches, guides, and empowers entrepreneurs to be prepared for key opportunities like pitch competitions, sales meetings, thought leadership engagements, and investor sessions. With a diverse background combining experiences critical to mastering communication including political campaigns, nonprofit fundraising & management, and program design, Jenn has a deep understanding of what it takes to create a compelling message and impactful programs. From entrepreneurial experiences building a foundation to creating and managing accelerator programs for early-stage entrepreneurs, Jenn expertly supports founders through messaging, strategy, problem-solving, and communication in preparation for successful presentations.
Thank you to our judges:
Channelle D. James, Ph.D., is a faculty member in the Bryan School of Business and Economics at University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she teaches and does research in social and sustainable entrepreneurship. Dr James is also the President and Executive Director of Community Ventures Inc., a nonprofit startup focused on creating social good in Greensboro North Carolina through entrepreneurship and social innovation. Diane Luccy is the Business and Careers Manager, Richland Library in South Carolina. She manages Richland Library’s Business and Career Department and leads the Entrepreneur-in-Residence program. Since 2010, hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners have used the library’s resources and staff expertise to launch and grow their enterprises.Janet McRae is the Economic Development Director at Miami County, Kansas. She works with local chambers of commerce, Small Business Development Centers, and Network Kansas to engage entrepreneurs across Miami County. She works with local libraries by hosting events at their locations, funding training on makerspace initiatives, and jointly planning a county-wide reading program focused on entrepreneurship.
Nature of the pitch
Is your library a player in economic development? Or do you have an idea on how your library could contribute to job creation, entrepreneurship, and nonprofits — but you could use a little funding to get started?
@ the Table is the pitch competition of the Entrepreneurship & Libraries Conference (ELC). Libraries will be invited to pitch ideas or initiatives to stakeholders in economic development. Public, school, special, and academic librarians are encouraged to apply.
The focus of the pitches is how a library can support local economic development, job creation, workforce development, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, small businesses, or innovation in general.
Watch this recording to learn practical skills on creating a compelling pitch designed to generate engagement, excitement, and maybe even funding. From content to delivery, this workshop focused on what it takes to design an award-winning project pitch. Get expert advice from Jenn Hensel, Pitch Coach for ElePitch, as well as two winners from the 2020 ELC Pitch Competition.
