This year’s second Big Gig event will be held Dec. 11 at the Orono Brewing Tap Room, Margin St. Orono, from 5:30-7 p.m.

Big Gig is an unprecedented partnership between a motivated group of municipalities, universities, and organizations in Maine’s Penobscot River Valley. It has been been working with local innovators and entrepreneurs since 2012 to create a supportive network and to bring positive change and economic growth to our communities.

From late fall to early spring, Big Gig get stogether every other month for a FREE Big Gig Pitch Off event, which is in a different town or location each time. Folks network, drink, nosh on fresh appetizers, and enjoy a pitch-off between three innovators/entrepreneurs competing for a cash prize.

To participate in a Pitch Off, apply at biggig.org. All applicants then pitch their idea to a Steering Committee at a Little Gig one week before the Big Gig event. At the end of Little Gig, the Steering Committee chooses the top 3 pitchers to move onto the Big Gig event the following week.

During the Big Gig Pitch Off, the three entrepreneurs pitch their business or business idea to a panel of friendly judges and attendees. The judges and attendees then vote for their favorite entrepreneur, who receives a $500 cash prize.

Each of the the winners from the three regular season Pitch Offs then have the opportunity to pitch in the Big Gig Finale for a chance to win $5,000.