THATCHER — Time is running out for small business owners, entrepreneurs with a side-hustle and those thinking about starting a business to sign-up for a chance to take home $5,000
The Graham/Greenlee Moonshot pitch competition will take place Thursday, July 23, at 6 p.m. at the Lee Little Theatre on the Eastern Arizona College campus.
“Competing in Moonshot means that you get to come and spend the day with mentors and coaches, and you’re going to practice presenting your business, basically, in an elevator speech,” said Royce Hunt-Bell, vice president of the Graham County Chamber of Commerce and 2023 Graham/Greenlee Moonshot winner for her business, Roycycled Treasures.
Contestants will then pitch their business idea to the judges. The idea can be expanding or up-scaling an existing business, transitioning the business in a new direction or starting a new business entirely. The winner of the local event will receive a $5,000 cash prize for their business. Second will receive $2,500, third $1,500 and the fans’ choice will get $1,000.
The winner will move on to the state competition Oct. 24 in Phoenix. The winner there will win $10,000 for their business, while the fans’ choice will receive $5,000.
Click here to register for the local event, which is only open to owners of businesses registered in Graham or Greenlee counties.
Sponsors of the Graham/Greenlee Moonshot Pitch Competition are Valley Telecom, Freeport-McMoRan, Trophies N’ Tees, Gila Cheer, American Southwest Credit Union, CMI, Azurite Bookkeeping Co., Country Financial, Lamplight Digital, Center for Intuitive Education, Small Business Development Center at Eastern Arizona College, Graham County Chamber of Commerce and Eastern Arizona College.
Previous Graham/Greenlee Moonshot winners
- 2023 — Royce Hunt-Bell, owner of Roycycled Treasures decoupage papers, stencils, art journals and instruction
- 2024 — Matthew Artman, owner of Arcane Gear hunting accessories
- 2025 — CIO John Whitman and CEO Steven Taylor, Nexus Health AI LLC
