Georgia Southern University Student Entrepreneurs Earn Three FastPitch Awards during Annual Competition

March 12, 2014

A team of six Georgia Southern University students earned three awards on Friday, March 7 during the fifth annual FastPitch Competition in Savannah, an event created to help local entrepreneurs start new ventures and grow existing ones.

Organized by Georgia Southern University, The Creative Coast and the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) Georgia Tech Savannah, the competition allowed entrepreneurs to pitch a three-minute presentation to local community and academic leaders, experienced investors, potential partners and members of the business community. Teams competed in three categories: Student Entrepreneurs, Early Stage Entrepreneurs and Local/Existing Entrepreneurs. Participants were judged on the criteria, impact, implementation, presentation, structure and delivery of the pitch.

Jacob Alves, Jonathan Chambers, Troy Cox, Andres Florido, Adrian Marshall and Francis Okechukwu make up the team, “Go Local,” named for an innovative mobile app that connects users to local events and venues. The team won first place in the Student Entrepreneur category, the Grand Prize “Overall Winner” award in the Final Pitch category and the Audience Choice Award. In addition, the team received $2,500 in seed money to aid their start-up company and costs.

“Go Local” was also offered a one year free membership with Georgia Southern University’s City Campus Virtual Business Incubator, a tool to support the start-up company with equipment usage, consulting and access to banks and investors.

“We’re very humbled and honored to be a part of this experience, especially in the student category where we’re just getting started,” said Jonathan Chambers, co-founder of “Go Local” and graduate student.  “We really learned quite a bit about what it takes to take an idea from conception to a profit-making company. It’s been an awesome ride. Our team has jived so well together, and we’re going to try to make this happen.”

Originally formed during Georgia Southern University’s 3 Day Startup (3DS) Program in February, the “Go Local” team won that event, which secured their application acceptance in the FastPitch competition.

Dominique Halaby, director of the Bureau of Business Research and Economic Development, says, “With continued dedication and support, we will keep building an ecosystem and culture where innovation is rewarded, entrepreneurship is celebrated and jobs are created.”

Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers 125 degree programs serving more than 20,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement.  Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.