By: John Glover (MBA)
New York City just got a little shake, rattle, and roll a few mornings ago, with an earthquake hitting it out of nowhere. It’s just another day in the Big Apple. Between dodging those sardine-can subways and gambling on those 99-cent pizza slices that could go either way, life is anything but dull. And amid all this beautiful chaos, if you’re hunting for a spot to chill out, crack a smile, and see something fresh, The Pitch Show’s got you covered. This fantastic new gig in town is shaking up the usual business pitch scene, crafted by the one and only Alan Siege. Picture this: a place where the hidden gems of the entrepreneurial world get to strut their stuff, far away from the typical grind. That’s The Pitch Show for you – your perfect break from the classic NYC hustle.
Siege, who finds talent in the unlikeliest places—from the academic programs he teaches to the buzzing social media streets of Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn—focuses on individuals aiming to serve their communities. “Contestants are people who do not have connections to money or influencers,” he explains, emphasizing the grassroots ethos at the show’s heart. This diverse pool of participants shares a common goal: creating impactful products or services for people like them.
The genesis of The Pitch Show was Siege’s realization that existing pitch events were missing something crucial—they were often dull affairs that catered exclusively to those already on the inside track to success. “Most pitch contests attract people with money who need much more to make their business happen,” Siege points out, critiquing the traditional pitch circuit’s focus on rapid returns for investors over genuine innovation or community impact. In stark contrast, The Pitch Show unfolds in an electrifying atmosphere of music and comedy clubs, complete with trivia battles and an engaged live audience.
For Siege, the highlight of The Pitch Show is its unpredictability and the genuine interactions it fosters. From bantering with the crowd to sharing tales of obscure entrepreneurs, Siege revels in the event’s drama and joy. “I am jumping in all the time throughout the Show,” he says, capturing the dynamic essence that makes each evening unforgettable.
Looking to the future, Siege has grand ambitions to take the show beyond the confines of New York City. With plans to livestream the show for a global audience and introduce interactive features, he envisions a world where anyone, anywhere, can participate in the magic of The Pitch Show. Inspired by the mobile format of NPR’s “Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” Siege imagines bringing the show to different locales, creating a video library of past shows that could serve as educational tools and sources of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide.
The Pitch Show is more than just an event; it’s a movement towards a more inclusive and vibrant entrepreneurial culture. By championing the underdog and celebrating the community spirit of business, Alan Siege’s initiative is not just changing how people pitch—it’s transforming what it means to be an entrepreneur in today’s world. In a city that never sleeps and on a planet that’s always turning, The Pitch Show is perhaps a place of hope and excitement for those daring to dream big, proving that, in the end, business can be both meaningful and fun.
If you’re local to NYC, feel free to check out some of their upcoming shows. Word is, the next one will be coming sooner than you think.
Published by: Holy Minoza
