About
OVERVIEW
Shaping the Charlotte Startup Community since 2013
PitchBreakfast™ is a safe, supportive environment where entrepreneurs go to connect, learn, and grow. We feature local founders/entrepreneurs/startups getting expert feedback on one of their most valuable assets – their pitch – in order to help get them investor-ready.
Every month, the PitchBreakfast™ event selects between 3 and 4 startups to prepare 5 minutes of slides and present their company, followed by 10 minutes of feedback and Q&A to ensure each startup gets the most out of their experience. This invaluable feedback can help guide entrepreneurs on their quest to secure funding for the next great idea.
From the entrepreneurs that take the stage to the distinguished investors and entrepreneurs that sit on our panels and the community that makes up our audience, we create a great atmosphere where you can connect without fear. We believe that events engaging the entire entrepreneurial stack are important, and we look forward to connecting entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed. The event is free; we only ask for your email address to keep you up-to-date with future events. We always want our attendees to get the most out of each event.
OUR MISSION
Every growing entrepreneur needs a chance to practice and refine the skills that will help shape the future of their business. PitchBreakfast™ is on a mission to provide area startups with the opportunity to practice their pitch and get support from a panel of experts in a challenging yet supportive environment.
THE TEAM
Our team is passionate about creating the best possible environment for startups to practice and perfect their pitches, striving for excellence in all we do, from selecting panelists to curating content that will truly benefit our attendees.
Juan Garzon, PitchBreakfast’s Executive Director, brings over a decade of entrepreneurial ecosystem building experience. Juan leads innovation-led entrepreneurship at the City of Charlotte’s Economic Development Department and serves as Managing Director for Innovate Charlotte, a nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying opportunities for the local startup and innovation community. Prior to these roles, Juan was the general manager of Charlotte, founded its preceding company StartCharlotte, and has served as coach and mentor for various community organizations including RevTech Labs, Impact3, and TEDxEducation. He has also led his consulting firm, Garzon Co., where he has helped clients craft engaging brands through storytelling.
Created two startup adventure travel companies, one with a successful exit and one not so, and also one incredible US National Whitewater Center that definitely worked!
He is First Vice President of Wealth Management at Raymond James, where he advises and manages the financial affairs for a select group of entrepreneurs and privately-held business owners and their families, with special emphasis on planning for liquidity events and wealth preservation and transfer. He also serves on the Foundation Board at the College of Charleston.
Justin leads the Startup Law practice at Spengler & Agans. He works with startups, entrepreneurs, and local businesses throughout the Charlotte community. In addition to his background in the law, Justin has an M.B.A. with a focus on entrepreneurship and marketing strategy. Justin and Eric previously launched their own startup, which gives them a unique understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs.
Laura Smailes serves as the Assistant Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI). With a focus on experiential student activities, Laura works directly with departments and colleges on campus to develop and implement an inclusive interdisciplinary community to engage and serve UNC Charlotte students and faculty in innovation, entrepreneurship and social impact. Laura assists in the design and implementation of several community programs including Inclusive Innovation Leadership Academy and Charlotte Launch (formerly Ventureprise Launch), prioritizing diverse leadership in the Charlotte entrepreneurial community and supporting founders in their customer discovery journey.