1 minute. 3 slides. 1 ask. Popcorn Pitch is back!

Think Dragon’s Den meets speed dating, throw in some popcorn and you’ve got the year’s most anticipated Southland startup showcase. 

COIN South’s Popcorn Pitch is expected to unearth the next big Southland startup idea as well as plenty of shower-thoughts, half-baked ideas, and chaos.

Of the pitches from last year, many have become a reality including PaySquad: a rival to AfterPay, as well as a cookie with less than 90 calories. Other ideas have died natural deaths, like the spur-of-the-moment pitch for Gloom Zoom: a cloud delivery service to send gloom to foes.

Last year’s Popcorn Pitch was “extraordinary” says COIN South’s Chief Activator Lou Evans.  “Even in level two, the enthusiasm for the event and new ideas was outstanding. I can’t wait to see who pitches this time.”

“Our city is full of incredibly talented people with clever ideas they’ve been storing away. Popcorn Pitch is an opportunity to draw those ideas out into the world.” Evans added.

Popcorn Pitch is a platform for the participants of Start It – an early-stage business course at COIN South – to showcase their ideas. After nine weeks of work, Fran Hesp, COIN South’s community manager, says the participants are excited to pitch in public. “We have such a great group of participants who have been working really hard over the past few months learning everything about early stage business from how to talk to their customers, getting to market and finding their break even point. I am so excited to see it all come together for them as they pitch their idea/business on Wednesday night and get to celebrate all of their hard work with them.”

“It’s not just for the cohort. Popcorn Pitch is open to anyone with an idea at any stage.” She says. And like any good Dragon’s Den, there’ll be plenty of feedback and prizes up for grabs. Head to coinsouth.nz/events to register.