September 8, 2026

Flagstaff, AZ

Congrats to our 2026 Flagstaff Winners!

  • Group of six people standing on stage at the Moonshot Rural Arizona Pitch Competition 2025, holding a giant check, with a presentation screen in the background displaying event sponsors and logos.

    Jeffrey Downard

    REV LAB

    1st Place

    We’re developing innovative propellers that use paired blades arranged fore and aft to improve speed, thrust, and efficiency. Our first products are outboard marine propellers designed to give boat owners and manufacturers a higher-performance alternative to conventional propeller designs. We presented this work in Amsterdam at the Marine Technology Expo, and our manufacturing partner, PowerTech!, has nominated our designs for the industry Innovation Award in marine propulsion.

  • Group of five people standing together indoors, holding a large ceremonial check, with a presentation screen in the background displaying event details and sponsor logos.

    Kelsey Denham

    Altored Health

    Second Place

    Altored Health is building an independent healthcare decision engine that helps people understand their options, prices, and next steps before, during, and after care. Altored makes care affordable and providers profitable.

  • Group of five people standing on a stage, holding a large ceremonial check during the Moonshot Rural Arizona Pitch Competition 2025 event. There are five men and one woman, with a presentation screen behind them displaying event and sponsor logos.

    Ahlten Sencan

    Peaks

    Third Place

    Peaks is building Ascent, a personal academic partner for college students. The hard part isn't studying, it's knowing what to study: 80% of NAU students we surveyed said they waste study time and feel lost about where to start.

Our local Flagstaff sponsors make this event possible by hosting a space for the event, helping to get the word out locally, and providing local prize money for winners. We couldn’t do it without them!

Seal of the City of Flagstaff, Arizona with a circular design featuring mountains, a deer, and an American flag, next to the text 'City of Flagstaff.'
Logo of Flagstaff with a stylized mountain scene and the text "Choose Flagstaff: The City of Innovation."
Sunwest Bank logo with tagline "Built for Entrepreneurs by Entrepreneurs"
Logo for Coconino County, Arizona featuring stylized mountains and clouds.

9/8/26 - SCHEDULE & DETAILS

LOCATION
Moonshot Campus
2201 N Gemini Drive
Flagstaff, AZ 86001

SCHEDULE
9:00AM: Welcome + Pitch Worksheet Workshop

10:00AM - 12:00 PM: Pitch Practice

12:00 or 12:30 PM: Working lunch, pitch deck cleanup

1:30 or 2:00 PM: Start Pitch Competition

3:00 or 3:30: Announce Winners

* Schedule is subject to change depending on the number of participants who attend.

PRIZE MONEY

$2500 - 1st Place

$1500 - 2nd Place

$1000 - 3rd Place

In addition to the local prize money awarded, all competitors who participate in the event will automatically receive a Moonshot membership valued at $5,500 (annually). Moonshot members receive mentorship, educational programs, and access to investors and funding opportunities. 

The first place winner in FLAGSTAFF will compete in the State Finals event on October 24, 2026 in Phoenix. They will compete to win $10,000 and they have a shot at the $5,000 crowd favorite award, too. This tour stop winner will also receive a complimentary 2-night stay in Phoenix On Friday, October 23rd and Saturday, October 24th, in addition to two tickets to the finals event. 

Download Flyer

Do you have a “moonshot” business idea or an existing business you’d like to expand? Or maybe you have a product or business idea scribbled down on a napkin  or notebook, but that's as far as you've gotten?!

​If you answered YES to either question above, join us for Moonshot's 7th Annual Rural Arizona Pitch Competition for entrepreneurs and business owners (aka, a showcase like you see on ABC's Shark Tank)!

This year’s focus is on INNOVATION. We'll be taking the tour to 20 different cities/counties throughout rural Arizona. Participants with innovative business/product/service ideas or existing businesses they want to grow will compete for the chance to win local tour stop prize money and more! But that’s not all. In October 2026, each tour stop winner will travel to the Greater Phoenix area to compete for the state title and $10,000 in cash, $5,000 in cash for "Crowd Favorite”, and additional cash prizes! Winners from each tour stop will receive two complimentary tickets to the finals event and hotel stay. More finals event details to come!

But that’s not all! ALL competitors who participate in a tour stop competition will automatically receive a Moonshot membership valued at $5,500 (annually)! Moonshot members receive mentorship, educational programs, and access to investors and funding opportunities.

Hey Flagstaff risk takers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Download this What to Expect guide.

  • Check out individual tour stop pages listed in the menu above or go to our calendar page.

  • Check out our Participant Resources page.

  • The schedule for each tour stop will vary depending on the number of applicants who apply to compete. We’ve broken the sample agendas out below. These are subject to change. This year, we are capping the number of participants in larger tour stops to 20 participants. Applications will be accepted first come, first serve.

    Tour Site A - less than 10 applicants (smaller events/tour stops)

    Agenda A:

    8:30 AM - Welcome + Pitch Worksheet Workshop- Fill out pitch worksheet

    9:30 AM: 1st Pitch Practice Workshop, emphasis on financials and business model

    10:30 or 11:00 AM: 2nd Pitch Practice Workshop, emphasis on legal and branding/marketing

    12:00 or 12:30 PM: Working lunch, pitch deck cleanup

    1:30 or 2:00 PM: Start Pitch Competition

    3:00 or 3:30: Announce Winners

    Tour Site B - 10-12 applicants, 2 rooms

    Agenda B:

    8:30 AM - Welcome + Pitch Worksheet Workshop- Fill out pitch worksheet

    Break applicants into 2 groups

    9:30 AM: GROUP 1- 1st Pitch Practice Workshop, emphasis on financials and business model

    GROUP 2- 1st Pitch Practice Workshop, emphasis on legal and branding/marketing

    10:30 or 11:00 AM - GROUP 1- Pitch Practice Workshop, emphasis on legal and branding/marketing

    GROUP 2- 2nd Pitch Practice Workshop, emphasis on financials and business model

    12:00 or 12:30 PM: Working lunch, pitch deck cleanup

    1:30 or 2:00 PM: Start Pitch Competition

    3:00 or 3:30: Announce Winners

    Tour Site C- 12-20 applicants, 3 rooms

    Agenda C:

    8:30 AM - Welcome + Pitch Worksheet Workshop- Fill out pitch worksheet

    Break applicants into 3 groups

    9:30 AM: GROUP 1- 1st Pitch Practice Workshop

    GROUP 2- 1st Pitch Practice Workshop

    GROUP 3- 1st Pitch Practice Workshop

    10:30 or 11:00 AM - GROUP 1- 2nd Pitch Practice Workshop

    GROUP 2- 2nd Pitch Practice Workshop

    GROUP 3- 2nd Pitch Practice Workshop

    Participants will only attend 2 of 3 practice rounds/ Applicants will be cut down to 8-10 for the finals

    12:00 or 12:30 PM - Working lunch, pitch deck cleanup

    1:30 or 2:00 PM - Start Pitch Competition

    3:00 or 3:30 - Announce Winners

  • See examples of past pitch presentations here.

  • Here’s an example of the pitch worksheet that all participants receive at the beginning of the day. It walks you through how to pitch your idea/business and what elements you need to include.

2025 Tour Video

Get a behind the scenes peek at what a pitch competiton looks like.
Featuring the town of Superior, Arizona.