Salina Area Chamber of Commerce
The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce is announcing that applications are now open for the 5th Annual Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge to be held Wednesday, April 1st, 2026, at Kansas State University-Salina.
The Challenge is open to start-up businesses as well as young businesses who have been operating for three years or less and offers an opportunity to win up to $6,000 in cash prizes.
Last year’s event gave out $16,000 in prizes to the five top place finishers. 2025’s top prize winner, M1 Pool Maintenance, has utilized their funding to turn their business idea into a reality.
“The Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge was an experience I will never forget. When I enrolled in the Business Essentials course at Salina Central High School in August 2024, I could not have anticipated where I would be eight months later,” Marshall Zuccarelli, owner of M1 Pool Maintenance, said. “This competition highlighted the incredible opportunities available in the Salina community for individuals who are willing to work hard to pursue their entrepreneurial goals. It opened my eyes to the depth of business-minded talent and support that exists throughout our community.”
“I am sincerely grateful to the judges and to everyone who works behind the scenes to make this challenge possible. Your time, effort, and commitment make a meaningful impact on aspiring entrepreneurs in our community,” Zuccarelli states.
This year’s event is again presented by Bennington State Bank and JRI Hospitality and offers cash prizes for the top five finishers:
$6,000 for 1st place, $4,000 for 2nd place, $3,000 for 3rd place, $2,000 for 4th place, and $1,000 for 5th place. Other sponsors include Network Kansas and VentureDash.
Initial application includes submitting a business plan as well as a short 2–3-minute video introducing the business idea.
Deadline to submit is March 16th, 2026, at 11:59 pm.
There is no charge to apply, and includes residents of Saline County, as well as Dickinson, Ellsworth, McPherson, and Ottawa counties.
All applications will then be scored, and ten (10) applicants will be chosen to move on to the in-person event and pitch competition.
Competitors will be given 7 minutes to pitch their business plan to a group of judges, like what is seen on popular shows like ‘Shark Tank.’ The judges will then have some time to ask questions and will score the businesses. At the end of the night, scores will be tabulated, and the top five finishers will be announced.
The Entrepreneurial Challenge is named in honor of the iconic Salina businessman, Charlie Walker, who founded several companies, largest among them Salina-based Blue Beacon International (known for its truck and RV washes), and the Rolling Hills Zoo near Hedville. Walker died in 2012, but his family has continued his commitment by spearheading several civic causes in the Salina community.
“We have some generous business owners in this community who are eager and interested in supporting the next generation of small business for the area,” Renee Duxler, CEO & President of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce said, “This event has evolved from a group of them, to include the Walker Family, wanting to encourage entrepreneurship in a fun and educational way. This pitch competition really does achieve that.”
The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce will be offering a ‘How To Pitch Your Business’ workshop on Thursday, February 12th at Kansas State University-Salina Campus for any competitors that are interested.
To register for the workshop, click here.
To find out more information and to apply for the challenge, click here.
You can also get more information by emailing Jaclyn Crow at [email protected].