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Startups To Pitch Business Plans To AOL Co-Founder

By Edward Cardenas

DETROIT (CBSDetroit.com) - Entrepreneurs in Detroit will have an opportunity to pitch their business plans to AOL co-founder Steve Case, and a team of judges, when the Rise of the Rest bus tour comes to the city.

Detroit is the first stop June 24 on a four-city tour which organizers say will "highlight emerging start-up communities and bring attention to a rise of the entrepreneurial rest."

"It's important to remember that America itself was once a start-up, and became the greatest economy in the world thanks to the efforts of entrepreneurs who built not just companies, but entire industries in the heart of the country," said Case in a release. "This journey - covering nearly 1,000 miles - will showcase emerging entrepreneurial ecosystems that will play a critical role in rebuilding the American economy and creating new middle class jobs."

Case and the team of judges will hear pitches from start-ups in the community, and one winner will earn a $100,000 investment in their company.

The stop in Detroit includes a tour of  by Case and others at businesses including Shinola, Detroit Venture Partners, Bizdom;  a fireside chat with Case and Quicken Loans founder and chairman Dan Gilbert at Grand Circus; and a pitch competition at the M@dison Building Auditorium.

Business owners looking to enter in the pitch competition sponsored by Revolution and UP Global, tour sponsors include Google for Entrepreneurs, Engine, and Seed Here Studio, have until June 15 to enter on the tour website, www.riseoftherest.com.

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