On October 22, 2013 Hundreds of friends-turned-business partners entered the Miller Lite Tap the FutureTM Business Plan Competition, but only 25 semifinalists earned a a chance to win a portion of the $400,000 prize pool. Five of the semifinalists from Georgia and the surrounding states pitched their business idea in front of a live audience at Vanquish Lounge. The semifinalists competed locally for a $20,000 prize and the chance to advance to the national finals. They also received advice from some of the sharpest business minds in the country, including Daymond John, also known as “The Shark” from ABC’s “Shark Tank.”
Sitting alongside “The Shark” on the judging panel were Marve Frazier, Chief Creative Officer of Moguldom Media Group and CEO of Bossip.com; Leona Barr-Davenport, President and CEO at the Atlanta Business League; and Santiago Marquez, Vice President and CFO at the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Kenny Burns, Lifestyle Specialist and founder of the popular website studio43.com, hosted the event. Sounds were provided by DJ FADELF.
The event was open to consumers 21 and older who RSVP’d at www.mltapthefuture.com. Attendees had the opportunity to mingle and network, and three randomly selected entrepreneurs got the chance to deliver a one-minute business pitch receiving valuable feedback from the panel of experts. One lucky entrepreneur was randomly selected from the audience to win a $1,000 prize.
Daymond John (center) celebrating with contestants after announcing the winning team
Steve Canal from MillerCoors (second from left) celebrating with the winning team Sfrio
Daymond John providing feedback to the entrepreneurs after their pitches
Steve Canal from MillerCoors (right) with the entrepreneurs from TextPride who were the national winners of Tap the Future 2013