Moberly’s Grow Mid-Missouri program is calling for entrepreneurs throughout Missouri to voice their product ideas and promote their businesses. The Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation hosted Startfest yesterday evening in the Moberly Municipal Auditorium. Startfest is an event allowing Missouri entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their ideas to potential investors and obtain guidance and advice for building a businesses.
During the event six entrepreneurs were allowed 90 seconds to explain the design and function of their products to a crowd of investors. They were then given the opportunity to speak with investors one-on-one. Product ideas ranged from a foul ball retriever used during baseball games to handmade quilts.
One entrepreneur present was Becca Burkhart. She, along with many others, was looking for the necessary capital to get her products on the market. “I’m really excited to see if I can make even stronger connections and maybe even get some investors interested in me too,” Burkhart said.
Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation Vice President David Gaines was the speaker during the event. He emphasized the importance of the community providing small businesses with the tools and resources they need to get started. “Mid-Missouri is dotted with companies that have over the years become multi-billion dollar international companies…and if we can help that next one, we might be the place that has the next Orscheln Farm and Home, or the next Microsoft of Apple computer that came out of an idea in a garage someplace,” Gaines said.
Grow Mid-Missouri leaders hope Startfest will become an annual event to spur the growth of Missouri businesses and help them avoid failure.