THATCHER — Just a few days after teaching high schoolers how to be entrepreneurs, the Small Business Development Center at Eastern Arizona College is starting up its next effort at helping local business owners grow their operations.
The one-day Moonshot pitch competition will take place Friday, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Local small business owners will hear from experts on how to pitch their businesses in order to better sell their products or services, attract investors or secure additional financing. Plus they can win prize money.
“They’re going to do three pitches through the day,” said Torey Cranford, business analyst for the SBDC. “The third one is their third and final, and then we decide who is going to be the first-place winner to move on to Prescott Valley in October.”
Third place will receive $750; second $1,500; and the first-place winner will get $2,000 for their business, plus a chance to pitch at the Moonshot finals for a chance at $10,000, or $5,000 for the crowd favorite.
Plus the first 10 placers will be given access to the Constellation entrepreneur education program.
“The mentors that are coming from Moonshot and across the state already have networks that, as they’re listening to you, they might say, ‘Hey, I know somebody you need to speak with. I’m going to put you in contact with this guy,’ ” Cranford said.
United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties sponsored the local prize money.
Previous Graham/Greenlee Moonshot winners:
- 2023 — Royce Hunt-Bell, owner of Roycycled Treasures decoupage papers and instruction
- 2024 — Matthew Artman, owner of Arcane Gear hunting accessories
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 5:29 p.m. Monday, July 7, 2025, to correct the day of the event.
