The event takes place at First Baptist Church of Ferguson. Enter the event through the door closest to the white gazebo, facing the parking lot. We will be there to greet you!
333 N. Florissant Rd,
Ferguson, MO 63135
The 2023 Ferguson Spark Tank Pitch Event
The Pilot Spark Tank Pitch Event in Ferguson, MO, takes place from April 21-22, 2023. See the schedule and participants, and register to attend!
Attend the Event
The Pitch Event Participants
These entrepreneurs are well on their way to completing the rigorous Kauffman Foundation FastTrac program and have invested weeks of work toward bringing their entrepreneurial ideas to fruition. They look forward to sharing their ideas and securing investments and interest through the Spark Tank Pitch Event in Ferguson, MO.
Meet Steven Johnson and Brenda Young
This mother/son duo already has many accomplishments under their belts individually, but are collaborating on expanding their CDL truck driving school in the Ferguson community to make a greater impact.
Steven Johnson is the CEO of Five Star CDL LLC – Driver Training, and AAA Transit Group LLC; a regional trucking company serving the St Louis, Missouri metropolitan area, and all regions within 400 miles of St. Louis. Their goal is to equip people with the skills to not only drive commercial vehicles, but to show them how to become owners of viable businesses associated with transportation.
Brenda Young is a Ferguson community leader and has left her thumb print in the community in multiple ways. She runs a vocational consultant private practice to assist persons with disabilities and serves as an expert witness with the Social Security Administration. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Bible studies, a master’s degree in guidance and counseling, and is an ordained minister. She’s an author of many seminars and training tools for small groups and is CEO of B. Young Originals, designing and manufacturing women’s hats for department stores around the US.
Pitch Event Schedule
Friday, April 21, 2023
5:00-7:00 PMMeet and Greet - Open House and Recognition
Saturday, April 22, 2023
8:30-9:00 AMCasual Continental Breakfast
9:00-9:15 AMWelcome and Introductions
9:15-10:45 AMCommunity Update/Forum - Building Capacity for Entrepreneurship in Ferguson
10:45-11:00 AMBreak
11:00 AM - NoonFerguson Entrepreneur Pitches
Noon - 12:15 PMRecognition and Awards
12:15 PMClosing Luncheon and Networking
Support Spark Tank in Ferguson, MO
Be a Capacity Builder for Entrepreneurship in Ferguson, MO
There are two ways to support the capacity for entrepreneurship in Ferguson through the Spark Tank program.
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Donate to support the Spark Tank pitch event on April 21-22, 2023. Here are the options:
- Top Entrepreneur - Cash award for his/her business ($10,000 ++++)
- Event Supporter ($10,000)
- Award Supporter - Reg CF crowdfunding portal listing and filing with SEC ($5,000 each)
- Opening Social Event Supporter ($2,000)
- Award Ceremony Supporter ($2,000)
- Spark Tank, Spark Team Draft Event ($1,500)
- Closing Banquet ($1,500)
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Donate to help finish the Dark Horse Business Accelerator/Studio space in Ferguson to provide shared resources for entrepreneurs after the pitch event. Here are the options:
- Named meeting pod/soundproof booth build-out ($15,000)
- Conference room table ($2,000)
- Commercial laser printer/copier ($5,000)
- Two collaboration desks ($3,000 total)
- 20 desks/conference chairs ($150 each)
- Lounge/seating area furniture ($12,000)
- Modern cubicle shared workstations for three ($3,000)
To donate to one or more of the specific items above, please complete the Supporter Application below. Note that all gifts will be made to Civil Righteousness, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation, and restricted as specified above for the Spark Tank in Ferguson, MO.
Make a General Donation to Spark Tank - Ferguson, MO
Gifts to the Ferguson, MO Spark Tank are processed by partner organization Civil Righteousness. To give via text message, text SPARK to (314) 451-5751 and follow the instructions. To give online, use the link below and select “Give to SPARK Tank” from the list of available funds.
Be a Volunteer
There are a wide range of areas where your time and effort can help! If you want to volunteer your time in supporting the Spark Tank effort in Ferguson, MO, just get in touch with us.