A small business scored a big win Thursday night at Get Started Las Vegas. A group of finalists pitched their ideas to judges in a competition modeled after ABC's Shark Tank for a $20,000 prize.
To set the stage for a successful business sometimes you have to be center stage. That's how it goes at Get Started Las Vegas, a business concept pitch competition, now in its fourth year.
The contest is sponsored by Cox Communications in Las Vegas. Derrick Hill is vice president of Cox Business Las Vegas.
"We think it's all about competitiveness, job creation, ideas, innovation and it's good for our city here in Las Vegas," Hill said.
Six finalists pitched their ideas to a panel of judges who didn't want just facts and figures, but also a human connection.
Judge Tim Washer explained what he was looking for.
"Here's the impact we're going to have in the community. Here's how we are going to change lives," said Washer. "Now to get that across in two minutes, it is a challenge!"
Rising to that challenge was the team from Revive Brand, who despite appearing on and winning ABC'sFunderdome earlier this year, approached Get Started Las Vegas as if they were just starting out.
"We're still grinding like it's our very first day back in 2011," said Medin Gebrezgier, one of the company's founders.
Once again they explained their sports apparel concept featuring the Game Bag, which they've been making in an east Las Vegas garage factory. And once again they walked away with a win.
"You gotta stick it out. You gotta put the the time in," said Gebrezgier. "And you gotta keep taking your losses and sooner or later opportunities will come."
