Each finalist will be granted five minutes to pitch, followed by three minutes of Q&A with the Selection & Development Committee.

itch Judges will focus on these five critical elements:

Creativity – the originality and uniqueness of the business or idea

Potential – the longevity, actualization, and profitability of the business

Goodness – how does the product or service impact/improve the world?

Current Stage/Traction – sales, users, marketing exposure, etc.

Team / People – how will the team help the startup succeed

EOBC staff will screen applicants to ensure they meet all eligibility requirements, and a committee of experts will review each application to decide which businesses move to the next round.

Applicants invited to participate will receive an email notification from EOBC staff. Participating businesses will be notified on January 8, 2024. There will be an in-person orientation and reception on January 12, 2024. Please refrain from contacting staff regarding the status of your application. We receive a high volume of submissions and will update all applicants regarding their status as soon as possible.

Email your questions to manager@eobcstl.com