Kelly Ignace is the Board Chair and President of Traverse City New Tech, a non-profit that puts on a monthly pitch prize event.
As noted in Kelly's PowerPoint presentation, TC New Tech's mission is to expedite the launch of start-ups in Northern Michigan. To accomplish this goal the organization holds a monthly pitch prize event at the City Opera House in Traverse City. Participants give their pitch, and at the end of the evening the audience selects the winner of the $500 prize. According to Kelly, the event is like Shark Tank, but kinder.
TC NewTech envisions a thriving ecosystem of entreprenuers and tech start-ups, yielding high-paying jobs and high-value commerce. The monthly meetings have been averaging 150-200 attendees, but the organization is always looking for more attendees, investors and pitch-presenters. Meetings are generally held the first Tuesday of the month, but due to Labor Day the September meeting will be on the 13th..