START in
NEW HAVEN

A COMMUNITY PITCH NIGHT

Start in New Haven is a community pitch night where individuals can pitch ideas for new events, civic improvements, startups, and other projects to a community audience — with the goal of providing energy, support, and resources to turn the ideas into a reality.

Through Start in New Haven, we hope to encourage a spirit of yes — where, regardless of how early your idea is, New Haven community members are here to support you in your next steps.

Next event:
START in NEW HAVEN

Thursday, September 19th, 6-8pm, 2024
Location: ClimateHaven (770 Chapel St, New Haven, CT)

  • This event is for ideas in the new or very early stages.

    This event is for a range of different kinds of ideas: startups, inventions, new group or organization, buildings or public space improvements, civic improvements, art projects and murals, events, and advocacy campaigns.

  • During the event, 5-6 presenters (selected prior to the event) pitch for 3-5 minutes.

    After the pitches, each presenter is be assigned a table where there can be further discussion for the remainder of the event. Attendees can choose their table(s).

  • We invite community members and leaders, philanthropists, venture capitalists and angel investors, elected officials, activists and organizers, and artists.

    Our hope is that audience members provide presenters with a range of possible support: advice and guidance, connections and networking, access to potential funders, volunteers, teammates, and potential customers.

  • Ideas are selected based on three core criteria:

    • Stage: Is the idea at an early stage?

    • Impact: Does the idea aim to make a social impact?

    • Need: Does the idea’s needs fit what the potential audience can provide?

    Ideas that are not selected can opt to be added to a public document/landing page to be distributed.