Trout Tank: Food Frenzy invites culinary concepts to vie for funding

Denver-based airport concessionaire Mission Yogurt, Inc. has partnered with the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center to host Trout Tank: Food Frenzy. Startups or existing culinary concepts looking to expand are sought to audition for a chance to compete at Trout Tank: Food Frenzy on Dec. 1.

The Denver Metro SBDC, an affiliate of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, launched Trout Tank in 2014 as a pitch event to connect entrepreneurs with potential funders. The Food Frenzy edition will mark the first industry-specific Trout Tank.

“We want to give entrepreneurs the tools to start, grow and thrive,” said Abram Sloss, director of the Denver Metro SBDC. “Trout Tank is just one way that we build connections for our entrepreneurs as they work to move their business from a dream to a reality.”

Auditions will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, 1445 Market St. Audition registration is $25, and can be completed at www.denversbdc.org/trouttank.

On Dec. 1, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., five audition finalists will present their business plans to investors and lenders, as well as a panel of judges—restaurateurs and industry experts including Pat Miller of Gabby Gourmet, Chef Dana Rodriguez of Work & Class, Chef Alex Seidel of Fruition and Mercantile Dining & Provision, and Mark Berzins of Little Pub Company. In addition to receiving new business connections, one winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize to help bring his or her business idea to fruition. Trout Tank: Food Frenzy will take place at The Denver Post offices, at 101 W. Colfax Ave.

“At Mission Yogurt, our business is to partner with innovative restaurateurs, and help them to expand their businesses, in our case, to airports,” said Mission Yogurt, Inc. President and owner Rod Tafoya. “I too started with just one small restaurant concept more than 25 years ago, and couldn’t be more excited to sponsor this first-of-its-kind culinary-focused Trout Tank to help provide opportunities to local food and beverage industry entrepreneurs.”