The Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) is calling on aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners across its seven-county service region to step forward and share their ideas at PitchFest 2026—a high-energy business pitch competition offering cash prizes and valuable startup support.
PitchFest gives participants the opportunity to present their business ideas, gain feedback and guidance from experienced business professionals, and compete for cash and other prizes designed to help them turn their ideas into reality. It also helps aspiring entrepreneurs refine their business concept, strengthen their pitch, and take meaningful steps toward launching or growing their business.
The competition unfolds over three rounds. All participants will pitch their ideas in Round One on April 16. Selected contestants will advance to Round Two on April 23, with finalists moving on to compete for cash and prizes at the live final event at EPIC on May 7.
Entrepreneurs from OzSBI’s service area—including Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Shannon, Texas, and Wright counties—are encouraged to apply. PitchFest is ideal for individuals developing a new idea, exploring a startup concept, or in the early-stages of building a business.
Finalists will compete at EPIC for the following prizes:
- 1st Place: $1,000 cash, website development scholarship, coworking, and mentoring
- 2nd Place: $500 cash, website development scholarship, coworking, and mentoring
- 3rd Place: $250 cash, coworking, and mentoring
- 4th Place: $125 cash, coworking, and mentoring
The deadline to enter is April 13, 2026. Individuals may register at crm.ozsbi.com/pitchfest26 or call 417-256-9724 for more information.
