May 19, 2026

Superior, AZ

Hey Superior risk takers, business leaders, & 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 2025, 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:

To apply, simply click the button below. Please note: You must live in Superior, AZ in order to qualify to compete in this competition. Scroll below to read more about the schedule and location.

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

May 18 & 19, 2026

MAY 18, 2026 - FOCUS GROUP & KICK OFF RECEPTION


All participants are invited to two kick off events on May 18, 2026.

  • The first event is a focus group from 4:30-6:00 PM sponsored by Growth Partners of AZ to discuss perceived financial barriers in lending around startup businesses.

  • The second and primary event from 6:00 PM- 8:00 PM is a kickoff reception and community stakeholder gathering for our Moonshot Rural Pitch Tour stop the next day. Though it's not mandatory to attend, it's strongly encouraged to come out and meet the other contestants and the co-producers of the tour, Kiersten and Scott Hathcock. 

Food and Beverages will be served at the kickoff reception.            

Location: The Magma Club, 34 Kumpke Ct, Superior, AZ 85173 

MAY 19, 2026 - PITCH COMPETITION DAY

Location:‍ ‍Superior Enterprise Center, 98 N High School Ave, Superior, AZ 85173

8:30 AM: Welcome + Pitch Worksheet Workshop

9:30 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.

Our local Superior 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!

Superior Arizona seal with cactus, mining tools, and desert landscape
Logo of Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition with a brown emblem of Arizona.
Rebuild Superior logo with text 'Building a Stronger Tomorrow'
Logo for Superior Enterprise Center with tagline 'Create. Incubate. Succeed.' in green text.

Congrats to the 2025 Superior Winners!

  • Three people standing in front of a brick wall, holding a large check for $1,000, at the 2023 Raspberry Pitch competition. Two banners are visible behind them, one for Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition and another for Moonshot: Rural Arizona Pitch Competition 2023. The person in the middle is wearing patterned pants, while the person on the right has tattoos on their legs, and the person on the left is dressed in a black shirt and khakis.

    Lisa Hilchie

    Awakened Baked Goods

    First Place Winner

    My baked goods focus not only on limiting unhealthy ingredients linked to chronic disease, but also including ingredients that add nutritional value, such as fresh milled flour, and foods rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Changing my diet gave me my life back and I want to share what I've learned with others and show it's possible to eat better without sacrificing indulgence. I plan to participate in the local farmers market and partner with other businesses such as coffee shops and wellness based businesses to sell my products, as well as market on social media.

  • Three people standing indoors holding a large check for $500, posing for a photo during the Moonshot Rural Arizona Pitch Competition 2025. The man on the left wears a black shirt and beige pants, the woman in the middle has blonde curly hair and patterned pants, and the woman on the right wears glasses, a burnt orange shirt, and jeans. A large screen and a poster with space-themed desert artwork are visible in the background.

    Maya Barton

    Art 145 LLC

    Second Place

    Art 145 is an artist studio, classroom, and gallery where local artists of ages 6 and up can use our tools and materials both inside and outside of class. Our studio includes materials to make ceramic art, paintings, drawings, mixed media, and more. There are no other businesses within 30 miles that offer ceramics classes. We already have many members, but would like to expand so we can afford more art supplies and to pay our workers.

  • Three people standing together holding a large check during the Moonshot Rural Arizona Pitch Competition 2025. The person on the left is a tall man with dark hair and beard, wearing a black shirt. The woman in the middle has blond curly hair and is wearing a patterned dress. The woman on the right has dark hair tied back, wearing a beige blazer and blue jeans. Behind them are banners for the event and a brick wall.

    Billie Jo Villaverde

    Dance Couture

    Third Place

    Dance Couture. A one-stop shop for all your dance apparel and accessory needs, from traditional Mexican traje (attire) to dance costumes, headpieces, accessories, jewelry, props and supplies for specific dance routines, as well as apparel for Zumba, Ballet, Tap, Country, Quinceanera and the variety of dance classes I teach in Superior. These costumes will be made from local artisans in town using the resources like sewing machines and machinery, equipment, and other resources provided from local organizations and businesses.

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.