Phoenix: Last week, the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation (CEI) at GateWay Community College hosted ten aspiring student entrepreneurs, each one carrying a distinction as a finalist for the Big Pitch competition. The annual competition, designed to help startups raise the capital they need to turn their business dreams into reality, is hosted by CEI, an industry-leading entrepreneurial incubator since 2013.

Give one way to best utilize your advisory board to grow your business?

To help you utilize your advisory board to grow your business, we asked C-level executives and small business owners this question for their best insights. From expanding your resource networks to planning innovative initiatives, there are several ways your advisory board can help you expand your company.

Give one tip for building and compensating an advisory board?

To help entrepreneurs build a strong board of advisors for their business, we asked CEOs and founders this question for their best tips. From seeking candidates that ask questions to considering your business strategy first, there are several pieces of advice that could help build a great advisory board for your business in the future.

Startups need visibility to gain credibility and recognition. At what point in their growth should a startup begin marketing?

What is your best tip to find product market fit?

To help you discover the best product market fit, we asked marketing professionals and entrepreneurs this question for their best insights. From interviewing potential customers to identifying your target demographic, there are several tips that may help you find the product market fit that best aligns with your product goals.

We have new clients that we’d like you to meet. And, our clients are doing the work of bringing new innovations to the marketplace. CEI is thrilled to celebrate their accomplishments during 2021. We applaud their tenacity, courage, and hard work and we want to share the awards, funding, and more that they have garnered. Watch our video, or scroll on to learn more!

What is one tip you'd offer an entrepreneur starting up a new venture?

What is one tip you'd give an entrepreneur preparing for a pitch competition?

To help future business owners prepare for pitch competitions, we asked a panel of business professionals and leaders for their best tips. From having various lengths of pitches ready to speaking with former participants, here are several ways that may help you better prepare for your next pitch.

Having a good salesperson or sales team can be the difference between life and death of your company. Salespeople generate revenue for a company — something essential for your business’s survival. So making sure you build the right team is critical. In this blog post, I’ll explain: when to hire, how to hire, how to measure sales, and when to expand. Below, you’ll find questions that you need to ask at each stage of hiring a salesperson and create a strong team to grow your startup. 

How has being part of a business incubator or accelerator helped grow your business? 

To help entrepreneurs decide if — and which — business incubator is right for their startup, we asked leaders from business incubators and fellow entrepreneurs this question for their best advice. From reducing starting costs to benefitting from collective wisdom, there are several  insights that may help you determine if your business idea can benefit and grow from an incubator.