Peak Pitch readies New Hampshire return

Mount Sunapee Resort will again be the site of New Hampshire’s 2007 Peak Pitch, an annual networking initiative designed to give local entrepreneurs the opportunity to sell their business ideas to venture capitalists, angel investors and other startup advisers.

Scheduled for Friday, March 9, and hosted by venture capital firm Borealis Ventures, Peak Pitch puts a slopeside twist on the traditional “elevator pitch” where would-be business owners sell their business ideas to investors during a brief elevator ride.

At Peak Pitch, the chairlift replaces the elevator giving both parties time to share ideas, ask questions and ponder partnerships while they make they’re way up one of the Granite State’s favorite mountains.

“Peak Pitch emphasizes entrepreneurial passion, not PowerPoint, and helps entrepreneurs connect one-on-one with investors and mentors,” said Phil Ferneau of Borealis. “Borealis introduced Peak Pitch as part of our commitment to strengthen northern New England’s entrepreneurial community. Peak Pitch’s rapid growth to five events this year reflects the positive response that we have received to the Peak Pitch formula of focused networking, informed feedback and plenty of fresh air.”

Some 100 entrepreneurs and investors took part in the inaugural Peak Pitch held in 2005, and more than 200 participants hit the slopes last year finding them to be the perfect backdrop for developing future plans for the growth of New Hampshire new businesses.

“Peak Pitch 2006 was a super experience – it took entrepreneurs and investors out of offices and put them onto the slopes where they could communicate in an informal manner,” said Matt Harris, managing general partner of Village Ventures, this year’s series sponsor.

The March 9 event is one of five -the only one in the Granite State – scheduled this year. The 2007 Peak Pitch season includes events in Bolton Valley, Vt., on March 1, Wachusett Mountain in Massachusetts on March 2, Gore Mountain in New York on March 16 and Sunday River in Maine on March 23.

All events are hosted by their local entrepreneurial community with Village Ventures of Williamstown, Mass., acting as this year’s series sponsor.

For more information on the 2007 Peak Pitch series visit peakpitch.com. – TRACIE STONE