That’s because, instead of pitching sharks, 12 SEED SPOT entrepreneurs will be sharing their socially-responsible, purpose-driven business plans with an audience of more than 700 people – who get to vote via text message, in real time, for their favorite venture who will then receive a $5,000 cash prize.

Come watch these Arizona-based entrepreneurs pitch their solutions to important societal problems at SEED SPOT’s free Demo Day event from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Each SEED SPOT entrepreneur has three minutes to share his/her business plan, successes and next steps. To prepare for Demo Day, the 12 entrepreneurs went through a rigorous four-month entrepreneurship  program. Those that were selected to participate in Demo Day have worked hard to validate that they have customers and a solid business
model.

Ventures vary from a mobile-based tool that helps to diagnose epilepsy and an after-school skateboard program for under-served youth, to a kid-friendly product line that combats childhood obesity and a company that helps others create sustainable food gardens. After the short presentations, every audience member gets to vote via text message for their favorite venture.

SEED SPOT will then announce and award prizes on the spot, including:

•  Six months of free office space to a deserving entrepreneur, from SEED SPOT
• $25,000 in cash prizes, courtesy of the Pakis Center for Business Philanthropy
•  A $5,000 cash prize to the entrepreneur who receives the highest percentage of audience votes