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Celebrating Innovation and Entrepreneurship: The Journey to the Pitch It Grant Awards

Start.Pivot.Grow. Announces Round 6 Pitch It! Competition and The Stakes Are Higher


 


This year's 4th of July celebrations have an additional spark - a showcase of determination, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit. After an intense and enlightening 10-week journey through the Start.Pivot.Grow. Micro Accelerator Program, a group of outstanding entrepreneurs are set to dazzle us at the much-anticipated Pitch It! Pitch Competition in Dallas, Texas.


Sponsored by the Wells Fargo Foundation and The UPS Foundation, this competition marks a significant milestone for the contestants. Scheduled for Monday, July 8, 2024, at the Dallas College Venture Club, an emotional and invigorating day awaits these entrepreneurs. They will pitch their refined business concepts, honed through countless hours of advising and hard work, for a chance to win a part of the $37,500 prize pool. The stakes are high with awards of $20,000, $10,000, and $7,500 on the line.

This program has been more than I expected and changed my business and my future, states Jaime Sims, CEO of Circle V Landscape Architects of Austin, Texas

Let's take a moment to appreciate and congratulate the seven contestants, who have not only successfully navigated the demanding accelerator program but are also poised to take their businesses to the next level:


1. Serveway Heating and Air Conditioning – Bringing innovation to the way we heat and cool our spaces.

2. Urban Undercover – Redefining urban travel wear with a twist of ingenuity and style.

3. Champions For Veterans – Making a difference in the lives of our heroes by offering meaningful technical assistance, support and opportunities.

4. Surly Squirrel – A delightful venture that combines creativity with cool tees and merchandise.

5. Manifest Your Purpose – Guiding individuals towards self-fulfillment and success through purposeful products and merchandise.

6. ZZ’s Ice Cream Puffs – Offering a delectable fusion of flavors that tantalize the taste buds.

7. CardiacFitt – Pioneering a new approach to cardiac health and fitness through tech.

8. Digital Marketing Maven – Revolutionizing how brands connect with their audience through digital strategies.

9. Legacy Mail and Shipping – Redefining logistics with an emphasis on reliability and customer service.


These entrepreneurs represent the pinnacle of dedication, having completed the accelerator's rigorous curriculum and extensive business advising. They have seized every opportunity to refine their business models, market strategies, and pitching skills. Each story is a beacon of the entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrating what is possible when passion meets purpose and hard work.

Thanks to the Start.Pivot.Grow program, I've completely turned my business around. The Founder's mentoring has been vital to my recent growth. With her help, I understand my numbers, have increased revenue, and cut costs. Winning the pitch competition was the icing on the cake, shares Round 5 winner Monisha Edwards, CEO of Scent & Fire


The upcoming Pitch It Grant Awards serve not just as a competition but as a celebration of entrepreneurial excellence and innovation. It reinforces the importance of support systems, like the Start.Pivot.Grow. program and its partners, in nurturing and empowering emerging businesses. As we eagerly await the pitches, let's cheer on these remarkable entrepreneurs who dare to dream big and work tirelessly towards turning their visions into reality.


The pitch competition is open to the public and invites other CEOs and founders to join us to watch some of the best and brightest leaders battle for cash awards to invest in their business' future growth.


I launched Start.Pivot.Grow. during the pandemic because I saw hard-working business owners being left behind, and I vowed not on my watch and set out to raise capital to invest in the future of innovation and small business, states Cynthia Nevels, Founder and CEO of Integrality.

May the best pitches win, but let's remember, each contestant has already achieved incredible milestones by embracing the journey of growth and continuous improvement. Here's to their success, at the Pitch It Grant Awards and beyond!


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Good luck to all the contestants! Their journey is a testament to the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit that thrives within our communities.

 

Interested in applying for Cohort 9 Accelerator?


Retail, eCommerce, and Franchise Business Owners in business for 3 or more years that have generated more than $100,000 in annual revenue with 2 or more employees may apply through July 16, 2024.





 




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