Pitch Black Conference

A business Conference, Business Expo and Pitch Competition dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship in the Midwest

Presented by the Midlands African Chamber, Inc.

2025 Theme:

Empowering Visions. Fueling Success.

Friday, June 27, 2025
9 AM - 6 PM
TBD

What is Pitch Black?

Pitch Black is a dynamic conference strategically crafted to fuel entrepreneurship across diverse communities in the Midwest. Our event showcases prominent speakers, a business exposition, and an exciting business pitch competition. The competition is specifically tailored to offer a platform for emerging BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) as well as immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas. Participants have the opportunity to compete for a grand prize of up to $15,000, complemented by invaluable in-kind support surpassing $40,000. This support extends to essential services such as marketing, legal, and accounting, providing crucial assistance for their ventures.

A groundbreaking initiative, Pitch Black, is committed to nurturing entrepreneurship and fortifying businesses. By facilitating connections between emerging entrepreneurs and potential investors, mentors, and essential resources, our conference strives to invigorate economic growth and champion diversity in the local economy.

We invite you to partner with the MAC and Pitch Black in championing entrepreneurship within black and minority communities in Nebraska and the broader Midwest. Your involvement as a business or community partner is crucial to realizing the success of this endeavor. Let's collaborate to make a lasting impact together.

Pitch Competition Eligibility

The conference is open to for-profit businesses in any industry that meets the following criteria:

1.
This competition is for emerging business owners with startups or new businesses. Businesses must be formed or will be formed in the states of Nebraska or Iowa.
2.
Individual entrants, or 51% of owners of corporate applicants, must be residents of Nebraska, Iowa or Missouri.
3.
Businesses must be a for-profit entity.
4.
Individual entrants or 51% of owners of corporate applicants, must identify as BIPOC or immigrant or refugee.
5.
Business must submit their applications by February 7, 2025

How it works

Application Submissions

Participants prepare and submit their applications and all relevant documents based on Pitch Black competition guidelines and terms and conditions before the deadline of February 7, 2025.

Community Judge Review

Contestants will participate in preliminary rounds. A different panel of judges (local business leaders) will coach the contestants and select the top-ranked contestants in each round.

Final 5 selection

Panel of judges makes their selection of the 5 top-ranking participants based on the scoring guidelines after the third and final preliminary judging round. Then the 5 finalists make their live pitch at the Pitch Black Finale on June 27, 2025.

Finalist Pitch Day and Award

Contestants make their pitch live in front of an audience of over 300 people. Successful and established business owners will judge the finale. The winners of the competition will receive cash prizes along with legal, accounting, and marketing service.

2025 Timeline

Prize Amounts

Sponsorship

Sponsoring Pitch Black and the MAC Xcelerator (MAC X) directly uplifts minority-owned businesses and underserved communities. Since 2021, these programs have empowered BIPOC entrepreneurs to turn ideas into thriving enterprises, providing mentorship, financial coaching, and pitch training.

Impact Highlights:

  • Ital Vital Living: A mother-daughter owned juice shop expanded from 200 to 1,000 weekly units, secured funding, and opened a second location.
  • Local Art Plug: The 2023 Pitch Black winner created opportunities for young artists, won multiple grants, and built partnerships.
  • Caring Expertise Homecare: A Black woman-owned healthcare agency scaled operations to generate $1M in revenue in 2024.

In 2024, 79 small businesses participated, launching over 30 new ventures. Pitch Black finalists received $87,000 in funding, and the MAC Xcelerator provided 641 hours of technical assistance, with 82% of participants completing key business deliverables.

By sponsoring these initiatives, your organization fosters economic growth, cultural awareness, and empowerment while gaining visibility as a champion of community development. Join us in making a lasting impact.

Tickets

Individual Ticket – Members

$90

Individual Ticket – Non Members

$100

Table of 10 – Members

$900

Table of 10 – Non Members

$1000

Contact us

For sponsorship, partnership, volunteer opportunities, and other inquiries, please use the contact form below.


(402) 881-0343 info@wepitchblack.com
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