For the second year, the Women’s Small Business Accelerator is hosting a Pitch Competition. The event will take place over Facebook Live on March 11, 2021. Applications to participate are due Friday, February 26, 2021.
Applicants must be a woman-owned business and send in their application as well as a video pitch.
Requirements for businesses to qualify for submission and entry into the Pitch Competition:
- Must have been in business 1 year or more.
- Must be a 51% or more women-owned business. (proof required)
- Must have less than 20 employees.
- Must be currently operating the business.
- Must not have received a grant from the WSBA in the last 12 months.
The Top 20 Pitch Videos will be posted online the week of March 1, and the five videos that receive the most votes will move on to the Live Pitch competition on March 11 from 3pm-4:30pm that will air on the Women’s Small Business Accelerator’s Facebook Page.
How to make a pitch video
The WSBA has put together a guide with advice on how to make a pitch video. You’ll want to make sure to clearly show your business, describe your business’ mission and values, what problem you are solving for your target market, and if you had to make a pivot or change due to the pandemic. Find more of their advice here.
The main prize is a $5,000 grant. Second place will receive $1,500, and third place will receive $500.
Last year’s winner was Winta Hayelom, owner of Flavor 91 Bistro. The restaurant gained notice for bringing fresh, farm-to-table food with an Ethiopian flair to the community of Whitehall. Hayelom pitched the branding development for the Flavor Market so they can offer their seasonings, sauces, soups, and other packaged items for sale.
This year, the judges are looking for ideas that ‘Think Big. Plan Big. Do Big.’
There is an application fee of $20.
Updated 3/10/21: The Top Five Applicants have been selected:
These 5 Business Owners will compete for the $5,000 grant. Listed below with links to their application videos:
- Traci Bakenhaster, Design and Renew Career and Finance Coaching
- Amy Holman, Evolverie
- Cecilia Osorio Slonaker, Solo Merengues
- Leslie Dahn, Tranquility Salt Spa
- Pamalu Seeds, Uniquely Yours
Watch on Thursday, March 11, 2021 on the WSBA Facebook Page from 3pm-4:30pm to discover who will win!
For more information on how to enter, visit wsbaohio.org/2021pitch.