The Idea Factory Pitch-Off // AC 2026

The Idea Factory Pitch-Off brings together up to ten of the area's most promising teams for an evening of high-energy competition, where each group has just three minutes to pitch their idea and two minutes to field questions from the judges. It's a format built for momentum - tight, fast, and designed to reward clarity, conviction, and a great concept that can hold its own under pressure.   Adding weight to every pitch is a panel of accomplished Quad Cities business leaders. Judges include Christine Caves, Vice President of Business Retention, Expansion, and Workforce at Grow QC; Conor Flaherty, entrepreneur behind Germbot and a small business coach with the Small Business Development Center and the University of Iowa; Kelly Valentine, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Hummingbirds, a female-founded tech platform for local influencers, and a marketing expert in the culinary scene locally and nationally; and Ben Harrington, owner of CoWorkQC, StrategyPlus Solutions, and 5mile.digital, who brings 15 years of startup coaching experience to the table.   Teams will compete for three distinct honors - Best Idea, Best Pitch, and Judge's Choice—recognizing not just the strength of the concept, but the skill of the delivery and the picks that stand out to the panel. Whether you're pitching, watching, or looking for your next big inspiration, the Idea Factory Pitch-Off is where bold ideas meet the people who can help bring them to life.PT1HThe Idea Factory Pitch-Off // AC 2026"The Idea Factory Pitch-Off // AC 2026"

Showtimes

The Last Picture House