![\"Marshall](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767632868400.png\")
Marshall Zuccarelli achieves 1st place and $6,000 for business M1 Pool Maintenance at 2025, 4th annual Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge. Photo provided by Salina Area Chamber Commerce<\/p>\nMarshall Zuccarelli achieves 1st place and $6,000 for business M1 Pool Maintenance at 2025, 4th annual Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge. Photo provided by Salina Area Chamber Commerce<\/p>\n
Salina Area Chamber of Commerce<\/p>\n
The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce is announcing that applications are now open for the 5th Annual Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge to be held Wednesday, April 1st, 2026, at Kansas State University-Salina<\/b>. <\/p>\n
The Challenge is open to start-up businesses as well as young businesses who have been\u00a0 operating for three years or less and offers an opportunity to win up to $6,000 in cash prizes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Last year\u2019s event gave out $16,000 in prizes to the five top place finishers. 2025\u2019s top prize winner, M1\u00a0 Pool Maintenance, has utilized their funding to turn their business idea into a reality.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge was an experience I will never forget. When I enrolled in the Business\u00a0 Essentials course at Salina Central High School in August 2024, I could not have anticipated where I would\u00a0 be eight months later,\u201d Marshall Zuccarelli, owner of M1 Pool Maintenance, said. \u201cThis competition\u00a0 highlighted the incredible opportunities available in the Salina community for individuals who are willing to\u00a0 work hard to pursue their entrepreneurial goals. It opened my eyes to the depth of business-minded talent\u00a0 and support that exists throughout our community.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI am sincerely grateful to the judges and to everyone who works behind the scenes to make this challenge\u00a0 possible. Your time, effort, and commitment make a meaningful impact on aspiring entrepreneurs in our\u00a0 community,\u201d Zuccarelli states.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s event is again presented by Bennington State Bank and JRI Hospitality and offers cash prizes for\u00a0 the top five finishers: <\/p>\n
$6,000 for 1st place, $4,000 for 2nd place, $3,000 for 3rd place, $2,000 for 4th place,\u00a0 and $1,000 for 5th place. Other sponsors include Network Kansas and VentureDash.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Initial application includes submitting a business plan as well as a short 2\u20133-minute video introducing the\u00a0 business idea. <\/p>\n
Deadline to submit is March 16th, 2026, at 11:59 pm<\/b>. <\/p>\n
There is no charge to apply, and\u00a0 includes residents of Saline County, as well as Dickinson, Ellsworth, McPherson, and Ottawa counties.\u00a0 <\/p>\n
All applications will then be scored, and ten (10) applicants will be chosen to move on to the in-person\u00a0 event and pitch competition.<\/p>\n
Competitors will be given 7 minutes to pitch their business plan to a group of judges, like what is seen on popular shows like \u2018Shark Tank.\u2019 The judges will then have some time to ask questions and will\u00a0 score the businesses. At the end of the night, scores will be tabulated, and the top five finishers will be\u00a0 announced.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Entrepreneurial Challenge is named in honor of the iconic Salina businessman, Charlie Walker, who\u00a0 founded several companies, largest among them Salina-based Blue Beacon International (known for its truck and RV washes), and the Rolling Hills Zoo near Hedville. Walker died in 2012, but his family has\u00a0 continued his commitment by spearheading several civic causes in the Salina community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have some generous business owners in this community who are eager and interested in supporting the next generation of small business for the area,\u201d Renee Duxler, CEO & President of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce said, \u201cThis event has evolved from a group of them, to include the Walker Family,\u00a0 wanting to encourage entrepreneurship in a fun and educational way. This pitch competition really does achieve that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce will be offering a \u2018How To Pitch Your Business\u2019 workshop on Thursday, February 12th at Kansas State University-Salina Campus for any competitors that are interested.<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n
To register for the workshop, click here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n To find out more information and to apply for the challenge, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n