I will admit that I have avoided 5x5 for a bit since a) we have covered it (a lot) since it started, and b) we felt that the recent reboot was exciting for some, but maybe not most. Until now.
The reboot of the 5x5 Night program under the reins of GR Current / Emerge West Michigan has organizers’ new message of “pitch us something wild, out there, and fun” in full gear.
And while the ones who are going up on the block this Tuesday might raise a few eyebrows as oddly familiar or similar to other services already in play with other firms, I am excited about the ones that are rising in street cred with their “out there” qualities. This is where the message of “pitch us anything” is starting to generate real excitement for this reboot.
So what do I really think? My answer is simple: Get to 5x5 Night!
My unbridled enthusiasm about this night, with a few of these projects seeking to win the $5,000 prize money, is an effort to employ a simple but effective technique, just short of yelling “Fire” in a crowded building, to get your attention and ask you to consider being a part of the fun.
If you have an idea for the November 5x5 Night, then the folks who often attend the pitch event night are more than likely going to be some of the voters who placed these five up there on the block in October. Get there and lobby during the networking portion of the night for folks to get excited about your idea.
My hope is that more exciting ventures, like the
LazerBoyz pitch to buy a new laser to be used in upcoming touring art exhibitions as well as the
Grand Rapids Food Co-op Initiative, will rise to the top in the months ahead based on what I believe they symbolize to our startup eco-system as well as our city’s future.
Admission: Free