Race for the Space

Pitch. Win.

Are you looking to start or expand your business in downtown Cedar Rapids? Now is the perfect time! Race for the Space applications are officially open, offering an incredible opportunity to bring your vision to life in the heart of the city. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting initiative! Continue below for rules and requirements! Apply by June 30th.

Timeline & Dates

May 8 – Application opens
June 30 – Application closes
July – Selection committee review
August 13 – Winner announced at Race for the Space Happy Hour event!

Meet the Judges & Emcee

Judges

John Armon
John Armon received a BS in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. He was also a member of the men’s Track & Field and Cross-Country teams. He is currently Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager with Bankers Trust in Cedar Rapids. He has over 30 years of successful sales and marketing experience in several different industries including commercial print advertising, pharmaceutical sales, and commercial construction.
Mr. Armon is a member of the Cedar Rapids Downtown Rotary Club, Advisory Board Member of the Iowa Better Business Bureau, Board Member of the Marion Chamber of Commerce, and an Ambassador representing the Cedar Rapids Economic Alliance and Marion Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Armon has been married to his wife Kelly for 30 years, and they have a 21-year-old son, Aidan, a junior at the University of Iowa and 17-year-old daughter, Chloe, a senior at George Washington High School.
Teresa Jensen
With nearly 3 decades of experience in the financial industry, Teresa Jensen is a dedicated Business Banking Officer at CRBT, where she has been serving for 3 years. Prior to this role, she spent 25 years as a mortgage lender at various financial institutions helping individuals and families achieve their homeownership dreams.
Passionate about supporting small businesses, Teresa focuses on locally owned businesses by providing tailored financial solutions that foster growth and success. Her deep understanding of lending, coupled with a commitment to community development, makes her a trusted resource for entrepreneurs navigating the financial landscape.
Beyond banking, Teresa enjoys time with her family including 2 adult children and 2 cherished grandkids. She finds balance through yoga, travel and her pets. Whether assisting business owners or exploring new destinations, Teresa is committed to making a positive impact both professionally and personally.
Liesl Siebert
As Program Manager at University of Northern Iowa Institute for Decision Making, Liesl assists communities, economic development organizations, and other nonprofits with strategic planning at varying levels of focus. These include community or region-wide planning, organizational planning, and workforce planning. Liesl is a certified planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). She is a Board Member for the Iowa Rural Development Council, on the Executive Committee of the Keep Iowa Beautiful Board, on the Advisory Council for Main Street Iowa, and a member of the Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI). Liesl holds a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning and law degree, both from Florida State University.

Emcee

Addie Eichhorn
From cultivating lifelong relationships to navigating the complexities of commercial real estate, Addie excels at building authentic connections and solving challenges with creativity. A proud mom of two, she has been happily married to her best friend for 10 years—a love story that began as a friendship over 25 years ago, shaping her belief in the power of communication and trust.
A graduate of Mount Mercy University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Addie has established herself as a trusted professional in commercial real estate. Known for her innovative solutions and servant mentality, she approaches every transaction as an opportunity to learn, grow, and deliver exceptional value to her clients.
Beyond her career, Addie is deeply committed to her community. She actively contributes as a member of Daybreak Rotary, the NewBo City Market External Committee, and various Economic Alliance committees. When she’s not working or volunteering, you’ll find her outdoors hiking, kayaking, golfing, running, or biking with family and friends—embracing life’s adventures and making memories along the way. “Every relationship is an opportunity to make a difference. Whether it’s with my clients or my community, I’m passionate about creating meaningful connections that inspire growth and success.”

Rules and Regulations

Download Printable PDF

Race for the Space: Downtown Cedar Rapids – Competition Rules & Guidelines

General Rules

Eligibility

a. The pitch must be for a for-profit business.
b. Multi-level marketing companies are not eligible.
c. Eligible applicants must be:
- Competition is open to applicants ages 18 and older from anywhere in the United States of America, or
- An early stage business concept that will be located in Downtown Cedar Rapids.
d. Ineligible
- Staff members of the Downtown Cedar Rapids District, Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, and/or individuals serving on the Race for the Space Subcommittee.

Confidentiality

All pitches will be presented in a public forum. Confidentiality is not guaranteed. Do not include proprietary or sensitive information in your submission.
Live presentations and the award ceremony are open to the public and may be broadcast or published via print, radio, TV, social media, and online platforms.

Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)

NDAs will not be signed by judges, organizers, or attendees.
Organizers are not responsible for any confidentiality issues that may arise.

Privacy

By applying, you consent to your contact information being shared with sponsors, judges, and partners for the purpose of administering the competition.

Publicity

Business name, concept, logo, and other non-confidential information may be used in marketing, promotional materials, and on downtowncr.org and partner websites or social channels.
Winners agree to participate in publicity activities as requested by the organizer.

Indemnity

Entrants agree to hold harmless the organizers from any claims, losses, or damages arising from participation.
Organizers reserve the right to adjust the number of finalists and presentation order at their discretion.

Disclaimer of Liability

The organizers are not liable for:
- Loss of income or opportunity
- Personal injury or property damage
- Late or incomplete submissions
- Communication/network issues
- User error

Other Conditions

Entrants are responsible for their own travel, meals, and lodging.
Entrants must own all rights to their submitted materials.
Organizers may disqualify any applicant or team at their sole discretion.
All decisions of the judges and organizers are final.

Round One – Application Phase

Each team or individual may submit only one business concept.
Applications are due by June 30^th at 4:00 p.m. CT.
Submit all documents in digital format via [submission link or email].
Incomplete applications may be disqualified.
All applicants will be notified of their status by July 11^th.
Finalists must confirm participation by July 16^th 4:00 p.m.
Organizers may modify deadlines or the number of selected finalists.
By applying, you agree to the terms and conditions outlined here.
Non-finalists are encouraged to attend the live pitch event for networking and inspiration.
Concepts deemed unethical, deceptive, or inappropriate may be disqualified.
A panel of business experts will review all applications based on pre-established criteria.

Round Two – Live Pitch Event

Maximum of three presenters per team.
Finalists must contact their assigned Mentor promptly after selection.
Executive Summary (required) and PowerPoint (optional but encouraged) by August 1^st by 4:00 p.m.
The live pitch event will be held on August 13^th beginning at 5:00 p.m. Finalists must arrive by 4:30 p.m.
If a finalist cannot attend, alternates may be selected.
Visual aids and props are allowed. Setup time is limited to 5 minutes.
An emcee will introduce each team.
Each team has 15 minutes to pitch, followed by up to 10 minutes of Q&A with judges.
All presentations must be made in person.
Teardown must be completed within 5 minutes after the pitch.
The event may be recorded and rebroadcast. Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.
Winners will be announced at the end of the event and must be present to claim prizes.

WINNER’S Obligations
Winners of the Race for the Space competition agree to the following obligations as a condition of accepting any prize, in-kind support, or program benefits:

Business Education Commitment
• Winners are required to attend at least one business-related class, workshop, or webinar each month (virtual or in person). While we do not provide these classes directly, there are many excellent free and low-cost options available through local organizations such as the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), SCORE, One Million Cups, and online platforms.
• Proof of attendance must be submitted to the Race for the Space Committee each month.
Mentorship Engagement
• Winners are required to connect with their assigned mentor(s) at least once per month.
• These check-ins may be in person or virtual and must be documented with confirmation submitted to the Committee.
• As outlined in the grant contract agreement.
Financial Reporting
• Winners must provide financial documentation as requested during regular check-ins with their assigned mentors and the Race for the Space Committee.
• This may include, but is not limited to, profit/loss statements, budgets, or revenue updates.

Failure to comply with these obligations may result in forfeiture of continued support, prize packages, or future eligibility for Downtown Cedar Rapids programs.