If you're an entrepreneur or want to be one, you've got to have a great pitch prepared in order to get an investor interested in your business. You never know when your opportunity will come and you've got to be ready!

In StartupNation's "Elevator Pitch Contest Pitch-Off", six entrepreneurs step onto the elevator on StartupNation's nationally-syndicated radio show to try their hand at a winning one-minute pitch.

Our contestants are Vince, James, Joe, Laura, Stephane and MeLissa, each one a registered member of the StartupNation community. You will be the judges to determine who delivers the best pitch and makes it to the next and final stage of the contest.

Your vote counts! So, listen to each pitch, excerpted from the show, and pick the best one.

To understand our criteria for a masterful elevator pitch, visit our write-up on the key ingredients and objectives of an elevator pitch.

One important note - you can read, listen, and form your own opinion, but you can only vote if you're a registered member of StartupNation's community. If you're not registered yet, joining is free of charge. Such a deal!

You're part of a nation of entrepreneurs and it's time to express your opinion - use the links above to listen to each pitch and understand the criteria for judging their quality.

Per the Official Rules, your votes will determine who the final three contestants are. We will bring the remaining three back on StartupNation Radio to let them pitch again on the elevator and only one will win the Grand Prize - the opportunity to have a dedicated, one-on-one hour of coaching from StartupNation.

And once you vote, post your thoughts and reactions below. It's okay to be critical - but try to be constructive. And it's okay to get out the pom-poms to cheer on the contestant you thought did the best - express yourself!

Rich and Jeff Sloan

P.S. In the hope that this contest inspires you to be able to deliver your own masterful elevator pitch, consider practicing on a future airing of StartupNation Radio. Here's a link just in case.

This was a amazing test to see emotion,reaction,passion of each contestants.

Dont you thing so?

i agree, kathy, they are brave souls to step on an elevator with that many people inside!!!

i assume you checked out the write-up on how to give a great elevator pitch.

any particular techniques or styles that you thought were particularly compelling to you had you been their "dream" investor?

rich

indeed, iouone2 did a great job. likeable, informed, credible, compelling. and several others were, too.

in all seriousness, this contest could go a number of ways at this point. there was a LOT of quality we heard on that show.