TakeLessons Wins San Diego Venture Group's 2010 PitchFest Competition

We are pleased to announce that TakeLessons has been named the 2010 winner of San Diego Venture Group’s annual PitchFest Business Plan Competition, beating out two other finalists to secure a $20,000 prize and recognition as one of the most promising startup companies in San Diego. Now in its 11th year, PitchFest serves to bring Southern California’s most promising young technology and life-science companies to the forefront.

TakeLessons was one of three finalists who presented at the competition on December 2, 2010 along with Aonori Aquafarms, Inc. and CortiCare. An audience of 300+ attendees then voted for the company they felt had the most promising business plan and vision to win the $20,000 prize.

“It is truly an honor to receive this prestigious award and be part of the flourishing San Diego startup community” said TakeLessons CEO Steven Cox, who delivered the final presentation.

Since its inception in 2000, hundreds of companies have applied to participate in the annual PitchFest competition.  This year alone, over 70 companies applied and a selection committee comprised of local business leaders chose 11 semifinalists. Criteria for advancement included articulation of plan, fundability of concept and demonstration of company momentum.

Each application was reviewed and ranked by at least 8 selection committee members. On November 10, 2010, a panel of judges from such well known companies as Anthem, Avalon, Tech Coast Angels and Winward heard the presentations of those semifinalists and selected the three finalists, including TakeLessons.

Founded in 1986, the San Diego Venture Group is a non-profit business organization whose mission is to provide an informal atmosphere for entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and business advisors to meet and foster ideas on how to form, fund and build new ventures.

Here are a few more pictures from our big night!

Steven delivers his presentation