New Enterprise Forum Hosts Second Annual ´Battle of the Elevator Pitch´

ANN ARBOR, Mich., May. 06 /PRNewswire/ --

ANN ARBOR, Mich., May 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New Enterprise Forum will host its second annual "Entrepreneurial Improv: The Battle of the Elevator Pitch," an offbeat, slightly outrageous event that highlights how successful entrepreneurs must think fast on their feet. Immediately following the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium, the elevator pitch battle is a great way to relax and have fun with Michigan's venture community. The event takes place at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, at the Marriott Resort at Eagle Crest, 1275 S. Huron Street, in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

During the program, NEF will put four entrepreneurs in front of a judging panel and give them an imaginary company to pitch, with little time to prepare. This year's pitch competitors include:

Roger Newton, Co-Discoverer of Lipitor and Founder of Esperion; Ron Reed, who raised $18M for Fullscope and is now a VC at Seneca Partners; Rich Sheridan, Master Orator and CEO of Menlo Innovations; and Dick Beedon, Winner and Defending Champion of last year's NEF Elevator Pitch Battle and Founder/Managing Director of MacBeedon Partners.

The judging panel for the event will include Pete Farner of TGap Ventures, Mina Sooch of Apjohn Ventures, and Michael Cole of the Bank of Ann Arbor & Ann Arbor Angels.

David Brophy of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business will moderate this entertaining improv affair. And of course, singer/actor/presentation coach Eleni Kelakos is bound to add some excitement to the evening.

Showcase Presentation: Each month, NEF highlights an emerging company and provides them a Showcase Presentation. This month, our Showcase Presenter will be Mike Burba, CEO of DevHive, which is bringing to market a novel method for building custom software applications.

Registration and networking begin at 5:00 p.m. with the program starting at 5:45 p.m. Free to NEF members and journalists, the cost is $20 for non-members, $5 for students. The event is sponsored by NEF stakeholder sponsors, Menlo Innovations (>) and Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels ().

ABOUT NEF

Through its hands-on work with entrepreneurs, NEF has been planting the seeds for Michigan's economic prosperity for over two decades. NEF serves Michigan entrepreneurs by linking them with management expertise, venture partners, business services, capital, and other critical resources. NEF also provides coaching teams of experienced volunteers to assist entrepreneurs with investor presentations and business planning in preparation for fundraising meetings. For information, visit >.