Minute to make a mark

Entrepreneurs with big ideas have just 60 seconds to impress a panel of investors and business people in a competition run by incubator firm The Icehouse.

Entrants in the Dragons' Den-style Fast Pitch contest will benefit from tips and coaching before 10 finalists deliver their pitch.

Three months of business assistance from the incubator is up for grabs. Last year's winner, Todd Wackrow, of mobile marketing firm PocketVouchers, said, despite knowing his product inside out, the contest opened his eyes to pitching.

"Having the chance to listen to experts tell you about it and work one-on-one with the mentors helped to learn what you need to include in any pitch," said Wackrow.

He said it made a huge impact on how he talked about his business whether it was over a beer or in a formal sales presentation.

Icehouse chief executive Andy Hamilton said New Zealanders tended to not like pitching, but practicing throughout the competition honed their pitch to perfection.

"By the end people have done that pitch 20 or 30 times and the improvement is amazing," said Hamilton. "It helps them really nail what's unique about them and their business." Fast Pitch runs from October 8 and costs $85 to enter.