ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., Sept. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Business is bringing "Get Started OC" (#GetStartedOC) to Orange County, CA in partnership with Inc. magazine on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at the Marconi Automotive Museum, 1302 Industrial Dr., Tustin, CA 92780.  Registration for the event is now open for both attendees and pitch contestants at http://www.coxblue.com/getstartedoc/.

Get Started OC will highlight up to five entrepreneurs who will pitch their idea to a distinguished panel of experts.  One winner will be named that evening to receive a $10,000 prize package which includes $5,000 in Cox Business technology and a $5,000 cash prize.  Local small businesses not competing are encouraged to attend this free event for networking and learning opportunities from accomplished leaders in digital marketing, funding and business growth strategy.  

The panel will include Mari Smith, one of the world's leading social media strategists and recently named to Forbes top ten Social Media Influencers, and Megan Duckett, founder of Sew What? and an Inc. 5000 winner.  A venture capitalist will also be on hand to offer advice on funding and Lindsay Blakely, senior editor of Inc., will be moderating the session while providing feedback.  Each panelist is designed to bring a unique expertise to the event to provide feedback and advice in all aspects of starting a business. 

"It's important to us at Cox Business to support and inspire the entrepreneurial spirit in our local communities," said Tim Hinson, Vice President of Cox Business in Orange County.  "Get Started OC is a great opportunity for both fledgling and mature businesses to learn from our expert panel and from one another."

Businesses or individuals interested in pitching their business idea to the panel can click here to enter and must provide a 250 word or less description of the proposed product or service pitch.  All entries must be received by 12:01 a.m. PT on October 15.  Cox Business will select up to five finalists who will present their pitch live the night of Tuesday, October 22.  Entrants will be notified by October 16, 2013 if they are selected to pitch in the live event. 

Finalists will have two minutes to pitch their business idea to the expert panel and will receive immediate feedback.  The panelists will then determine the best pitch and winner of the contest.  Finalists will be selected based on innovation, ease of implementation and the benefit it brings to the local community.

Get Started OC will begin at 5 p.m. with networking and will include food, drinks and an unforgettable educational opportunity for local businesses.  After the pitching, an interactive Q&A will take place with the expert panel and live audience. 

Beginning at 6 p.m. PT on October 22, 2013, participants can watch the pitches live via live stream at www.coxblue.com/getstartedoc.     

This is the third event in the "Get Started" series this year by Cox Business and Inc. magazine.  Earlier this year, Get Started OKC took place crowning ScanMed QR as the winner, and Get Started CT took place at the Connecticut Business Expo in June where Fusion Cross-Media took the prize. 

Cox Business provides voice, data and video services for more than 300,000 small and regional businesses, including healthcare providers, K-12 and higher education, financial institutions and federal, state and local government organizations. The organization also serves most of the top tier wireless and wireline telecommunications carriers in the U.S. through its wholesale division. According to Vertical Systems Group, Cox Business is one of the largest providers of business Ethernet services in the U.S. based on customer ports and has been consistently recognized for its leadership among small/midsize business data service providers. Cox is currently the seventh largest voice service provider in the U.S. and supports one million phone lines. For more information about Cox Business, Click Here or call 1-800-396-1609.

About Cox Communications:

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet and telephone services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves approximately 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising.

Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For seven years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; for seven years, Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.

About Inc.:

Inc., the only major business magazine dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, delivers real solutions for today's innovative company builders. It provides hands-on resources and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing, and technology. In addition, Inc. looks beyond work to address the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Inc. inspires and informs, with cutting-edge coverage that reflects its readers' energy, brashness, and imagination.

SOURCE Cox Business