INDIANAPOLIS — Dreamapolis recently announced the top three finalists who will pitch their ideas at this month's PitchFeast at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Platform.
Dreamapolis' PitchFeast is a monthly event that leverages the power of the crowd to crowd-fund creative Indianapolis ideas.
For $5, attendees receive dinner and a token that can be used to vote on an idea presented that night. During dinner, guests have the opportunity to hear three entrepreneurs pitch their ideas. Afterwards they may vote on the one they feel has the most merit and promise. The entrepreneur with the most votes collected wins the money raised at the door.
"We researched the concept of Detroit Soup and Chicago Soup and figured out a way we could implement this program here in Indianapolis," said Jaron Garrett, one of Dreamapolis' co-founders.
Last year PitchFeast raised start-up capital for the newly formed organization, Trade School Indy, which helped them purchase a projector for their classes and have some additional leftover for reserve cash.
"Each month we try to feature a new local restaurant and/or eatery to showcase them and allow guests to taste their food with little risk and lots of feedback, while also featuring a community space for entrepreneurs," Garrett said.
Everything is donated by food and venue sponsors. Other companies can also have their own businesses featured in the program and during the event by purchasing ad space and sponsorships. In November upwards of 90 people were in attendance and were served with food from Duos and beer from Sun King Brewery. The November PitchFeast, held at Big Car Service Center on Lafayette Road, allowed attendees to listen to presenters ranging from Brock Benefiel, who introduced the crowd to IndySphere.com, to Tameka Drake, who presented her business, Pourfect Pour Bartending Service.
Once all of the presenters finished, the votes were tallied and $465 was awarded to David Durica and Make Life Fair, a local seller of fairly-traded Mayan Goods.
Ultimately, the purpose of PitchFeast is to provide seed-funding and awareness for local entrepreneurs that traditionally would not have access. Dreamapolis, the organization responsible for organizing PitchFeast, works to help urban Indianapolis entrepreneurs and start-up businesses by connecting them with critical tools and resources.
On Feb. 8, Dreamapolis will team with Big Car and other start-up design and tech innovators such as Idea Architects, IndySpectator, KA+A, The Levinson Center, SmallBox, and Verge for the event, "Revolutionize Your City: Art + Technology = Innovation." The call is simple: People with an Indianapolis-related project or program ideas that bring art and technology together will pitch their ideas for a chance to win $10,000.
For more information about Dreamapolis and/or PitchFeast, visit Dreamapolis' website at www.dreamapolis.com or call 759-1820.
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
Aug. Trial Set for Ohio Man in Triple Kidnapping
Car Crash in NYC's East Village Injures 8
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Raw: Car Jumps Curb in NYC, Injures 8
Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
