Williams & Tusayan, AZ
September 9, 2026
Congrats to our Williams, AZ Winners!
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Miranda Baldosky
Grand Canyon Stargazing
First Place Winner
Grand Canyon Stargazing offers night-sky tours plus daytime solar and planet viewing, walking tours, and mindful movement, all built on the Cosmic Clock, connecting guests to the cosmos above and the microcosmos on Earth. Most tours just name constellations; this gives a lasting framework, day or night. -
Corinna Haines
Corn Dawg
Second Place
Corn Dawg, is a small sewing and outdoor gear repair business serving the Grand Canyon community. I will provide repairs for outdoor gear and apparel, including zippers, patches, tears, hardware replacements, and more complex repairs. I also create one-of-a-kind purses and bags from primarily upcycled materials, with plans to eventually offer small custom sewing projects and gear modifications.
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Desiree Crawford
Lil Red’s
Third Place
An antiques and uniques' shop featuring old time photography, in a setting of an 1880 saloon style atmosphere. The intention is to have a stage that could also provide acoustic acts and a small intimate local venue set for artists. The idea is unique in that we are not just an antique store, which ironically our town does not have year round, but we are also a place for locals and visitors to enjoy.
Hey Williams & Tusayan 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:
The application window is now closed. Best of luck to the participants!
Our local Williams & Tusayan 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!
9/9/26 SCHEDULE & PRIZE MONEY
Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel
233 N Grand Canyon Blvd
SANTA FE MEETING ROOM
Williams, AZ 86046
SCHEDULE
9:00AM: Welcome + Pitch Worksheet Workshop
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Pitch Practice
12:00 PM: Pitch Finals
12:30 PM: Announcement of Winners & Photos
PRIZE MONEY
$1000 - 1st Place + a chance to win $10,000 at the state finals event in Phoenix on October 24th!
$600 - 2nd Place
$400 - 3rd Place
Frequently Asked Questions
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Check out individual tour stop pages listed in the menu above or go to our calendar page.
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Check out our Participant Resources page.
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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
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See examples of past pitch presentations here.
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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.