August 28, 2026

Nogales, AZ

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Hey Nogales risk takers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs!

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.

HOW TO APPLY TO COMPETE:

Please see the schedule below. To apply, simply click the button below. Please note: You must live in Nogales, AZ in order to qualify to compete in this competition.

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Our local Nogales 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!

Startup Unidos logo with tagline 'Innovation Without Borders' on a green and yellow background.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

LOCATION: Wittner Museum, 204 N Morley Ave, Nogales, AZ 85621, USA

SCHEDULE

9:00 AM: Welcome + Pitch Worksheet Workshop

10:00 AM - 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: $2,250 total! Prize split to be announced soon for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.

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 NOGALES 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. 

Congrats to the 2025 Nogales, AZ Winners!

  • A man in a black shirt with a name tag and a woman in a white blazer holding a large ceremonial check at the Moonshot Rural Arizona Pitch Competition 2025 event. The background features banners, including one with an astronaut and desert landscape, and the Arizona state flag. Several people are seated on the left side, and refreshments are on a table to the right.

    Alexander La Pierre

    Borderlandia

    First Place Winner

    Borderlandia is a boutique cultural organization offering immersive tours, storytelling, a digital magazine ,and education focused on the Arizona-Sonora borderlands. Our unique selling proposition is blending public history with design, creating unforgettable experiences that challenge myths and celebrate the region’s rich heritage. Unlike standard tour companies, we specialize in bilingual, research-based content grounded in local voices and historical accuracy. We're notable for making borderlands culture accessible, visual, and engaging. Profitability comes from curated tours, speaking engagements, and a growing membership, all while building a loyal community passionate about cross-cultural understanding and place-based storytelling.

  • Two women standing beside each other holding a large ceremonial check at an event. One woman is wearing a white jacket and gray skirt, while the other is dressed in a karate gi with a blue vest. Behind them are banners for the Moonshot Rural Arizona Pitch Competition 2025, with various sponsors listed.

    Sylvia Reynolds

    Danny’s Helping Hands

    Second Place

    Residential and Commercial Cleaning Services in Sahuarita, Green Valley, and Nogales.

  • Two women standing indoors holding a large ceremonial check at the Moonshot Rural Arizona Pitch Competition 2023. Behind them are banners and clothing racks, with one banner displaying the event's logo and sponsors.

    Maribel Hernandez Diaz

    MiniPastries

    Third Place

    Mini Pastries is the name of a company dedicated to the production of healthy desserts, made with natural and fresh ingredients from home; for all types of people and palates, located in Nogales Arizona. Our mission is improve the quality of life of the population by offering healthy and fresh desserts and our vision is reach all people who want a lifestyle change with sugar consumption in Santa Cruz County.

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.