Real life “Shark Tank”: Locals pitch business ideas in 60 seconds

A local organization is helping people start their own businesses with a helpful workshop in Idaho Falls. People who attended Thursday’s workshop had 60 seconds to pitch their business idea to five judges. The best ideas will be developed by teams of people throughout the weekend.

“Instead of an entrepreneur who has an idea that they want to turn into a business and it takes them a year to meet the right people, we can do it in a three days,” said Will Jenson, organizer.

The Eastern Idaho Entrepreneurial Center and SW Idaho Fallssaid this weekend will be like competing in a 54-hour marathon with attorneys and patent lawyers. The experts are there to make a person’s business idea into reality. Soren Peterson is one of 50 people competing in the race.

“There are laptops and the iPad, but both devices are not functioning properly for a one-to-one device. I have developed a product that will last longer in battery life and is non-destructive in the environment of schools. It can also work in a rural area,” said Peterson.

Peterson said even if his idea doesn’t get picked up he is still making connections. Joel K. Davis is another hopeful entrepreneur that hasn’t had much luck starting his own business. The idea he pitched Thursday is to open a family adventure center in Idaho Falls.

“The family adventure center is a place where people can go. We are going to have a big arena where people can solve mysteries. We will be able to control the weather affects and have lightning, rain and thunder,” said Davis.

Judges will decide what teams get first, second and third place Saturday night. The teams will receive prizes that will help the companies get up and running.

Jenson said it is too late to register for this weekend’s event, but he hopes to have another Startup Event next year.

To learn more about the Startup Weekend click here:http://startupweekend.org/about/.