Backing Black Business Small Business Grant Program Pitch Competition

Welcome to the Backing Black Business Small Business Grant Program Pitch Competition.

The Covid 19 pandemic hit Black women business owners hard. Many pivoted their businesses, expanded them and others established new businesses. Now, as signs of recovery emerge, Black women are starting new businesses at record rates. BGV and Reimagine Main Street, along with a host of network partners, recognize the power of Black women entrepreneurs and have come together to bring you the Backing Black Business Small Business Grant Program Pitch Competition.

How does the BGV Pitch Competition work?

+ Listen to 7 dynamic women pitch their businesses.
+ You decide the winner by voting with your dollars for the pitch you favor on Raisify.co.
+ Each transaction of $5 or more donated to a pitch on Raisify.co counts as one vote for that pitch.
+ The winner is determined by the number of votes. You can ONLY vote once for each pitch.
+ You CAN vote for more than one pitch. The voting will be open for 7 days.
+ After the voting closes we will tally the number of votes per person.

All 7 women receive pre-seed funding for their business based on your donations.

Donations are open on February 18th at 6 pm and close on February 20th at 11:59 pm EST.

Winners will receive cash and prizes including:

+ 1st – 3rd place 50K
+ 4th – 7th place 25K
+ Invitation to WOCCON
+ Feature and Virtual Booth at WOCCON
+ Money they raise from the audience’s votes on Raisify.co
Google Cloud Credits
+ A consultation with a lawyer
+ Salesforce for Startups package
+ A consultation with an accountant
+ Direct funding and access to a new network of business owners and investors.
+ Discounts on HubSpot + access to training.
+ Access to Canva for 1 year.

1-year membership to the BGV Connect Incubator, which includes the following:

+ Peer Mentoring, business referrals, funding opportunities
+ Weekly Virtual Co-Working & Pitch Practice
+ Introductions to potential business partners.
+ Monthly Women in Business Support Groups.
+ Feedback sessions, coaching, and networking opportunities.
+ Access to webinars, courses, and workshops (including replays).
+ Access to experts, introductions, and insider knowledge on leadership development, thought leadership, and entrepreneurial education.
+ This event is open to the public.

The BGV Pitch Program flips the traditional pitch experience on its head: we coach entrepreneurs, host a live crowdfunded pitch competition, then connect them to community and professionals to support them on their journey. We democratize funding by allowing the audience to vote with their dollars for the founder whose pitch they favor. The live-crowdfunding event is a high-energy, fun, focused, and supportive environment that includes community in being a part of the entrepreneurial journey.
We believe that the future of inclusion is NOT to create more silos, but that we can be leaders for Black/Brown women and everyone can help us do that. Everyone can cheer on and advocate for women founders at BGV!

The Black Girl Ventures Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are charitable donations.

Got questions? We have answers! Email us at [email protected].
—
Black Girl Ventures creates access to capital, capacity, and community for Black and Brown women-identifying founders. The Knight Foundation supports inclusive and equitable engagement and believes in a community where people are attached to the place where they live and are invested in their own future. Engagement includes many things, such as participating in civic affairs, voting, volunteering or simply taking part in the social life of their surroundings. Together we will partner to help provide more visibility, corporate mentorship, entrepreneurial education, supplier diversity opportunities, and funding for Black/Brown woman-identifying founders.

source