Local entrepreneurs in the Pee Dee who want to build a product or start their own business got a chance to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges Friday evening.
The Florence Chamber of Commerce, North Dargan Innovation Center and the FMU Center for Entrepreneurship hosted the second annual “Shark Chamber” Business Pitch Competition at the FMU Performing Arts Center.
“It’s a good chance to introduce them to all the people in the area who could help them out in one way or another,” says Susan Peters, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Francis Marion University.
This is the second year for the event and it will give entrepreneurs the chance to compete for the kind of prizes that will get their businesses off the ground.
“Prizes include among other things, a chamber membership, as well as a cash prize. There’s also a stint in the North Dargan Innovation Center Incubator. I want to say there is $11,000 in prizes,” said Les Echols, Director of Community and Minority Enterprise.
Thirteen entrepreneurs participated in this year’s competition.