MIAMI — (Jan. 30, 2013) — SwitchPitch, an event that invites established companies to pitch their technology needs to vetted startups in a role reversal, announced that it will hold its first Miami event on Feb. 20, 2013, from 1:30pm-6:30pm at The Light Box at Goldman Warehouse. The event is supported by $20,000 from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Typical pitch sessions invite startup companies to present ideas to gain investor interest and grow. In contrast, SwitchPitch will gather some of the biggest and most successful corporations in South Florida to present their technology and marketing project needs to an audience of early-stage companies. Following the event, startups will have the opportunity to bid on projects through SwitchPitch’s online submission platform. SwitchPitch team members will then help review the bids and connect large companies with startup partners for their projects.

The Weather Channel, Young & Rubicam, Mobifusion and Celebrity Cruise Lines are among the confirmed presenting companies.

“We are really excited to bring SwitchPitch to the South Florida startup community. Our goal is to do more than make connections; SwitchPitch creates revenue-producing deals to bolster the growth of the local startup community,” says Michael Goldstein, SwitchPitch founder and CEO. “It’s a win for both sides of the coin; large corporations will be able to complete projects in a more efficient, entrepreneurial time frame and build relationships with future technology leaders, while startups will have the chance to ramp up their customer acquisition base, building long-term lasting relationships and bring in revenue-generating business.”

“SwitchPitch offers startups the chance to build relationships and connect with large, high-impact companies, while learning about their needs firsthand,” said Matt Haggman, Miami program director for Knight Foundation. “The event will help foster Miami’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and importantly, create the kind of lasting relationships that make for a strong community.”

SwitchPitch has already run two successful events in Washington, D.C., and New York. At SwitchPitch DC, companies presented more than $200,000 in projects to more than 350 startups, and at SwitchPitch NYC companies presented more than $500,000 in projects to more than 450 startups.

SwitchPitch, presented by Exhilarator, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Refresh Miami, The LAB Miami and pFunk Media. Tickets are currently available at an early bird rate for $49/person until February 12th, 2014, or $79 thereafter.

For more information, to purchase tickets, become a presenting company or sponsor, or attend the event as a qualified startup visit www.switchpitch.com.

About SwitchPitch

SwitchPitch is a role-reversal event where established companies pitch funded innovation projects to qualified startups looking for great partners. Founded in 2012, SwitchPitch plans to hold ten annual SwitchPitch events in cities ripe for forging relationships between established companies and startups in their markets.  In addition to Washington, D.C., New York City and Miami, plans for 2014 include events in San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, London, and more. SwitchPitch was created and is managed in partnership with Exhilarator, an accelerator that helps early and middle-stage companies reach the next stage of their success. For ticket information or to become a presenting company or sponsor visit www.switchpitch.com.

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. We believe that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more, visit www.knightfoundation.org.

CONTACTS:

Pabla Ayala, pFunk Media, [email protected], 954-554-4011

Anusha Alikhan, Director of Communications, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, 305-908-2677, [email protected]