Small business owners will compete for
$175,000 in prize money and national
exposure
WASHINGTON, June 19,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 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:
- June 20 - Elevate Your Pitch
Game: Getting Clients, Customers and Funders to Say Yes
- June 27 - Attracting and Securing
the Right Funding for Your Business
- July 9 - How to Scale Your
Business - Five Steps to Business Growth
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."
About SCORE:
SCORE is the nation's largest network of
volunteer, expert business mentors, with 10,000 volunteers serving
all 50 U.S. states and territories. Since its founding in 1964 as a
resource partner for the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE
has helped more than 17 million current and aspiring entrepreneurs
start, grow or successfully exit a business through mentoring,
resources and education. In 2023 alone, SCORE volunteers helped
create 31,167 new small businesses and add 152,115 total jobs to
the American economy. Visit SCORE at www.score.org.
About Global Atlantic Financial Group:
Global
Atlantic Financial Group is a leading insurance company meeting the
retirement and life insurance needs of individuals and
institutions. With a strong financial foundation and risk and
investment management expertise, the company delivers tailored
solutions to create more secure financial futures. The company's
performance has been driven by its culture and core values focused
on integrity, teamwork and the importance of building long-term
client relationships. Global Atlantic is a wholly-owned subsidiary
of KKR, a leading global investment firm. Through its relationship,
the company leverages KKR's investment capabilities, scale and
access to capital markets to enhance the value it offers clients.
KKR's parent company is KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR).
Funded [in part] through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S.
Small Business Administration.
CONTACT:
SCORE
202-968-6428
media@score.org
Looking for a small business expert or owner for an upcoming
media story? Email media@score.org to request an interview
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SOURCE SCORE