August 21, 2025

Sahuarita, AZ

All businesses and residents from Sahuarita, Green Valley, and Tucson are welcome to sign up!

Congrats to our Sahuarita, AZ Winners!

  • A group of four people standing in front of a large screen and banners at the Moonshot Rural Arizona Pitch Competition 2025; two men and two women, one woman holding a large check.

    Ashley Heida

    Analytical Mineset

    First Place Winner

    Analytical Mineset transforms raw mining data into actionable insights, helping companies optimize operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. Unlike standard reporting tools, we bridge critical data gaps and apply advanced analytics to uncover hidden opportunities. Our unique expertise in both mining and data science allows us to deliver tailored, high-impact solutions that competitors overlook. We generate revenue through feasibility studies and project-based analytics services. As mines and vendors increasingly seek data-driven decision-making, our solutions provide a clear return on investment, making Analytical Mineset a crucial partner in driving smarter, more profitable mining operations.


  • A group of four people standing on stage at an awards ceremony, holding a large check with the words 'Speech Kwan Nelson' and '2nd Place Sahuarita' written on it. Behind them, there are two banners and a large screen displaying the logo and details of the Moonshot Rural Arizona Pitch Competition 2025, featuring desert landscape art and an astronaut.

    Kara Nelson

    Sahuarita Speech Spot

    Second Place

    My company is Sahuarita Speech Spot and we provide language and literacy instruction and therapy to children in the area. We are the only business in the area to provide both speech therapy and reading tutoring. We also are the only local company providing contracted services to local schools.

  • Four men standing on a stage with a large check, celebrating at the Moonshot Rural Arizona Pitch Competition 2025 in Sahuarita, Arizona. Behind them is a large screen displaying event logos and sponsors.

    Joshua Hayes

    ABC Guidance

    Third Place

    ABC Guidance is a dynamic nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth and underserved communities through education, mentorship, and career development. By integrating academic support, life skills training, and hands-on experiences, ABC Guidance bridges the gap between potential and opportunity. The organization offers tailored programs such as trade certification pathways, college and career readiness, emotional wellness, and creative learning projects. With a focus on holistic growth, ABC Guidance partners with schools, businesses, and families to build confident, capable individuals prepared for real-world success. Its mission is to inspire, guide, and uplift future leaders through accessible, impactful support systems.

Sponsors for the 2025 Rural AZ Pitch Competition Tour include Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona, APS, Arizona Commerce Authority, Growth Partners Arizona, Arizona Association for Economic Development, SRP, Wells Fargo, CIC, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Small Business Development Center, AWD Law, Resolution Copper, IDA, and Arizona Stitch Lab.
Logo of Sahuarita, Arizona with a stylized mountain, sun, and wave design.

Our local Sahuarita 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!

See the schedule of events and pre-workshop information below.

Logo of Freeport-McMoRan, featuring a stylized 'FM' in blue and black text.
Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center logo

Pre-workshop for Spanish Speakers
RSVP Requested

Flyer for a workshop in Spanish on preparing for the 2025 business pitch competition, scheduled for August 14, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Sahuarita Town Hall, Arizona.

SCHEDULE

AUGUST 21, 2025

9:30am- Welcome and Pitch Workshop

11am-2:30pm- Pitch Practice (Lunch info TBD)

2:30pm – Final Pitch Competition Starts

4:15pm - Special Thanks to Local Sponsors + Announcement of Winners

LOCATION

Sahuarita Town Hall in the Council Chambers

375 W. Sahuarita Center Way, Sahuarita, AZ 85629

PRIZE MONEY

Thanks to Freeport-McMoRan for sponsoring the cash prizes and lunch!

1st place winner - $1,500

2nd place winner - $1,000

3rd place winner - $500

PLUS, Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring two one-year memberships to the Chamber for the 1st and 2nd place winners!

The first-place winner of this event will win a trip to the State Finals in Prescott, AZ and a hotel stay in beautiful downtown Prescott as well as the chance to win the $10,000 grand prize, $5,000 Crowd Favorite and other various prizes at the state finals. Learn more about the finals event here.

Hey Sahuarita, Green Valley, and Tucson 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 6th Annual Rural Arizona Pitch Competition for entrepreneurs and business owners (aka, a showcase like you see on ABC's Shark Tank)!

This year, we'll be taking the tour to 20 different cities/counties throughout rural Arizona. Participants will compete for the chance to win local tour stop prize money and more! But that’s not all. In October 2025, each tour stop winner will travel to beautiful Prescott, Arizona to compete for the state title and $10,000 in cash, $5,000 in cash for "Crowd Favorite”, and several NEW cash prizes! Winners from each tour stop will receive two complimentary tickets to the finals event and a one-night stay at the beautiful Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Prescott, Arizona.  
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Participation is FREE OF CHARGE, thanks to our title sponsors Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Arizona Commerce Authority, and APS, our statewide and regional sponsors, and our local sponsors listed below.

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For our Spanish speaking community members, we’re offering a pre-workshop led by our Spanish-speaking team member, Cynthia Magallanes.

Para los miembros de nuestra comunidad de habla hispana, ofrecemos un taller previo dirigido por nuestra compañera de equipo hispanohablante, Cynthia Magallanes. Obtenga más información sobre el taller previo aquí o abajo.

Learn more about the pre-workshop here or below.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Participation in the pitch competition is free of charge. You do not need to have experience as an entrepreneur to compete. You can simply have an idea for a product or service.

    Participants will be taught how to present a business pitch in 5 minutes.

    Each tour stop competition schedule will vary, depending on how many applicants apply. We will expect you attend the full day event, should you apply.

    A sample schedule and sample presentations from past tour stops events will be shared below. We’ll make sure you have as much reference material as possible.

    You do not need to use a slide show (like Powerpoint or Canva) to present your ideas; however, if you’d like to do so, that’s wonderful. Past winners have won local tour stop events without the assistance of slide shows.

    Learn more about what to expect and take a look at past pitch presentations here.

  • 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.