What's Pitch Black?

Pitch Black is a business competition designed to promote entrepreneurship in diverse communities in the Midwest. The competition features local business owners and start-ups who are competing for a chance to win $10,000. Local and national speakers will share their entrepreneurial journeys at the event.

Join the MAC and Pitch Black in promoting entrepreneurship in the black and minority communities in Nebraska, and the Midwest. We need businesses and community partners like you, in order to make this happen.

Eligibility

The competition is open to for profit businesses, in any industry that meets the following criteria. Registrations open October 1, 2021 and close April 1, 2022.

This competition is for emerging business owners with startups or new businesses. Business must be formed or will be formed in the state of Nebraska.

Individual entrants or 51% of owners of corporate applicants, must be residents of the state of Nebraska. Business must be a for-profit entity.

Individual entrants or 51% of owners of corporate applicants, must be members of an ethnic minority group.

Business must submit their application before April 1, 2022.

Pitch Process - 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 April 1, 2022.

Community Judge Review

Contestants will participate in 3 preliminary rounds in May, June and July. A different panel of four judges (local business leaders) will coach the contestants and select the top-ranked contestants in each round.

Final 5 selection

Panel of four 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 during the main event on August 6, 2022.

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, accountin, and marketing service.

2022 Timeline

October 1st

Applications are open

April 1st

Applications are closed

May 6th

First round juding

June 9th

Second round judging

July 7th

Third round judging - 5 finalists will be picked to present at live event

August 6th

Finalists will present and three will be selected as winners

Prize Amounts

1st Place - $10,000

2nd Place - $5,000

3rd Place - $2,500

Speakers

Judges

Contestants

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Bob Knight
Font Mager
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Ronald Verloe
Delired
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Cloe Went
Rowent

Sponsorship

Join us and sponsor our business pitch competition. We will be awarding three finalists, funds to start, or grow their existing business. Our event will feature innovative speakers and hundreds of attendees.