OMAHA, Neb., March 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Business is bringing "Get Started Omaha" (#GetStartedOmaha) to Omaha, Nebraska in partnership with Inc. magazine on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at the Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St., Omaha, Nebraska.   Registration for the event is now open for both attendees and pitch contestants at www.coxblue.com/getstartedomaha.  Local partners include the AIM Institute, Silicone Prairie News, Greater Omaha Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and Scott Data Center. 

Get Started Omaha will highlight up to five entrepreneurs who will pitch their idea to a distinguished panel of experts.  One winner will be named to receive a prize package valued at nearly $10,000 which includes a $5,000 cash prize, $2,500 Cox Business technology package* and $1,000 in Cox Media consultative/production services.  Local 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 expert panel will include Cisco's social media leader and comedy writer and producer Tim Washer, Eric Paley, managing partner of venture capitalist firm Founder Collective  and Christine Lagorio-Chafkin of Inc. Each panelist is designed to bring a unique expertise to ensure finalists receive advice in many 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 Mark Tucker, Vice President of Cox Business.  "Get Started Omaha is a great opportunity for both start-ups 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 April 3.  Cox Business will select up to five finalists who will present their pitch live the night of April 24, 2014.  Entrants will be notified by April 7, 2014 if they are selected to pitch in the live event.  Get Started Omaha official rules can be found here. 

Finalists will have 2.5 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 Omaha will begin at 5:30 p.m. with networking and will include food, drinks and an unforgettable educational opportunity for local businesses.  An interactive Q&A will take place with the expert panel and live audience immediately following the pitches. 

Cox Business and Inc. want to help all local businesses pitch with impact.  A free pitch workshop is offered to all registered pitchers with PitchMaps, a leader in pitch perfection.  The workshop will take place from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in advance of the Get Started Omaha event.   Sign up here for the Pitch Perfect Workshop.   

This is the fifth event in the "Get Started" series by Cox Business and Inc. magazine.  2013's winners included ScanMed QR in Get Started OKC, Fusion Cross-Media in Get Started CT,  Post-Op Top in Get Started OC, and Care Technology, LLC in the Get Started RI competition. 

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. For more information about Cox Business, Click Here or call 1-800-396-1609.

Cox Media, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Communications Inc., partners with both local and national advertisers for marketing success, offering advanced cable and digital advertising products in more than 20 markets across the United States. In addition to proven media solutions, Cox Media offers consultative insights to help clients reach their audiences more effectively and efficiently. From broad reach, highly rated programs to laser-sharp targeting of specific audiences, Cox Media is focused on developing customized marketing solutions that maximize ROI for clients.

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.

*Location must be serviceable in the greater Omaha market

SOURCE Cox Business