WASHINGTON – Small business owners across America will compete this summer for $175,000 in prize money and national exposure in a pitch competition hosted by SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, in honor of the organization’s 60th anniversary. Founded in 1964, SCORE has helped more than 17 million entrepreneurs start, grow or successfully exit a business.
SCORE’s 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business to a panel of industry experts and win up to $20,000, while gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to propel their business to new heights, all at no cost.
The nationwide competition will include in-person pitch events hosted in Philadelphia, Houston, Los Angeles and Des Moines, Iowa, in addition to an online / virtual contest. Top pitches from each of the five events will receive financial awards provided by the event’s premier sponsor, Global Atlantic Financial Group: $20,000 for first place, $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third place.
To prepare for the pitch competition, SCORE is offering small business owners three free educational webinars featuring expert guidance on how to develop a compelling pitch, get funding, and scale their business. Offered live at 1 pm ET on the following dates, the webinars will also be available on-demand to registrants:
SCORE’s 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition application is now open. For rules and eligibility or to apply, visit the contest page on SCORE’s website. The deadline to apply is July 31, 2024.
Approved contestants will be paired with a SCORE mentor who will guide them through the pitch process, review their business plans and help them prepare their pitch. SCORE mentors are volunteers who have years of business experience and offer confidential small business counseling free of charge. Finalists will be invited to present their pitch live in one of the four host cities or virtually before a judging panel for the chance to win funding and national exposure.
Javier and Jasmine Huertas, owners of Cusina Maya Cookware in Chesterland, Ohio, participated in a SCORE pitch competition in 2022. Describing their experience, they said: “Not only did we receive excellent coaching, but it enabled us to focus our message and brand and perfect our elevator pitch. SCORE consistently pushed us to be better, giving us the tools, support and opportunities that we would not have found on our own.”
