GOLD BUSINESS PITCH GRANT

Official Contest Rules, Regulations & Content Policy

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1. Overview

The Gold Business Pitch Grant is part of the Sacramento Entrepreneur Bootcamp and is designed to provide entrepreneurs with an opportunity to present their business or idea for a chance to receive up to $5,000 in cash and business support.

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Participation is subject to the rules, conditions, and policies outlined below.

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2. Eligibility

 

To participate, applicants must:

• Purchase a valid Sacramento Entrepreneur Bootcamp event ticket
• Complete the official pitch competition application
• Pay the required application fee
• Be able to attend and present in person at the event
• Be legally eligible to operate a business in the United States

 

Optional consideration:

• Priority may be given to entrepreneurs based in California or those serving the local market

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3. Entry Fee

• Entry fee is $50 per applicant
• Entry fee does not include event admission
• Entry fee is required for consideration
• Submission of payment does not guarantee selection as a finalist
• Entry fees are non-refundable except as outlined below

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4. Participant Limit

• The competition is limited to approximately 15–20 applicants
• Finalists will be selected from submitted applications
• Not all applicants will pitch live
• Once capacity is reached, applications will close

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5. Minimum Participation Requirement

• A minimum of 5 qualified applicants is required

If fewer than 5 applicants register:

• The competition may be canceled or modified
• The format, prize structure, or participation requirements may be adjusted at the sole discretion of the organizer

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6. Refund Policy (Contest Only)

• If the pitch competition is canceled due to insufficient participation, all entry fees will be refunded
• Refunds will be issued within 5–7 business days
• No refunds will be issued for any other reason

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7. Selection of Finalists

• Finalists are selected at the sole discretion of the event organizers
• Selection is based on business clarity, potential, and readiness
• Finalists will be notified prior to the event
• Selected finalists must confirm participation

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8. Pitch Format

• Finalists will present a live pitch (maximum 3 minutes)
• A visible timer may be used
• A brief Q&A may follow
• Time limits must be strictly followed

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Failure to comply may result in:

• score reduction
• disqualification

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9. Presentation Guidelines

Participants should clearly communicate:

• What their business or idea is
• Who it serves
• The problem it solves
• How it generates revenue
• How the funding or support will be used

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10. Judging Process

• Winners are determined by a panel of judges
• Judges evaluate based on defined criteria
• A separate audience participation or “People’s Choice” component may be included
• All decisions are final

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11. Judging Criteria

Participants will be evaluated based on:

• Clarity of the idea
• Problem and solution
• Business potential
• Execution readiness
• Presentation and delivery

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12. Prize

The competition awards:

Up to $5,000 in Cash & Business Support

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Prize distribution:

• 1st Place → Up to $2,500
• 2nd Place → Up to $1,500
• 3rd Place → Up to $1,000

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13. Prize Conditions

• Prize amounts are not guaranteed as cash
• Prizes may include cash, services, or a combination
• Prize amounts may vary based on participation, sponsorship, and event performance
• Winners may be required to complete documentation before receiving any prize
• Prize recipients may be required to provide tax documentation (including IRS forms if applicable)

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14. Conduct and Disqualification

Participants may be disqualified for:

• false or misleading information
• exceeding time limits
• failure to appear when called
• disruptive or inappropriate behavior
• violation of rules or policies

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No refunds will be issued for disqualification.

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15. CONTENT POLICY

Participants may NOT present:

• illegal or unlawful activities
• fraudulent or deceptive business models
• explicit, offensive, or inappropriate content
• hate speech or discriminatory material
• misleading financial or income claims
• copyrighted materials without authorization

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16. Professional Standards

Participants must:

• present respectfully
• communicate professionally
• avoid attacking individuals or competitors
• maintain integrity in all statements

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17. Media Release

By participating, you agree that:

• your pitch may be recorded
• your likeness, voice, and business may be used for promotional purposes
• no compensation is required

 

Participants who do not wish to be recorded must notify the organizers in writing prior to the event. Full exclusion from incidental recording cannot be guaranteed.

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18. Liability Disclaimer

Participants acknowledge that:

• participation does not guarantee funding or success
• they are responsible for their own business outcomes
• organizers are not liable for any results or decisions

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19. Intellectual Property

Participants retain ownership of their business ideas.

 

However:

• presentations are made voluntarily
• organizers are not responsible for protecting intellectual property
• participants assume all risk when presenting their ideas publicly

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20. Organizer Rights

The event organizers reserve the right to:

• modify rules or structure
• adjust timing or format
• cancel or reschedule the competition
• refuse or revoke participation

at any time to ensure a successful event.

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21. Final Agreement

By applying or participating, you agree to:

• all rules and policies listed above
• all event Terms & Conditions
• all decisions made by the organizers

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