What's Pitch Black?

Pitch Black is a business competition designed to promoting 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.

1.
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.
2.
Individual entrants or 51% of owners of corporate applicants, must be residents of the state of Nebraska. Business must be a for-profit entity.
3.
Individual entrants or 51% of owners of corporate applicants, must be members of an ethnic minority group.
4.
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

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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.

Platinum/ Awards Presenting Sponsor

$25,000
  • 8 Tickets to the Event
  • 3 years Chamber membership
  • Inclusion in KMTV spot
  • One year sponsorship of the monthly Power Hour events
  • Name on Pitch Black Awards
  • 60 days of paid Social Media Ads
  • Company logo on Event page on Chamber’s website
  • Included in promotional videos
  • Company logo displayed during the Event
  • Company logo on the Event backdrop
  • Brand recognition beyond the Event
  • Item(s) from company included in the attendees’ bag
  • Company name included in email to attendees
  • Company executive/representative(s) to be one of the finale judges
  • Featured short pre-approved video of the company at the Event
  • Company’s signage on the podium and visible to entrepreneurs, leaders, and game-changers.
  • Branding with promotional messages of inclusion during the Event
  • Company’s name and logo displayed at the registration booth
  • Sponsor for power hour business development program for 6 months
  • Recognized as the luncheon sponsor of the award event on Aug. 28 with signs on tables as acknowledgment
  • Buy Package
  • This is the 1st item
  • This is the 2nd item

Trailblazer Sponsor Level

$10,000
  • 8 tickets to the event
  • 2 years chamber membership
  • Inclusion in KMTV spot
  • 60 days of paid social media ads starting on June 28
  • Company logo on event page on chamber’s website
  • Included in promotional videos with name and logo
  • Company logo displayed during event
  • Company logo on event backdrop
  • Brand recognition beyond event
  • Item(s) from company included in attendees bag (if desired)
  • Company name included in email to attendees
  • Company exec./rep. to be one of finale judges either prior to the event or at the event depending on schedule
  • Featured 20-30 second pre-approved video of the company at the event
  • Company’s signage/logo on the podium
  • Branding with promotional messages of inclusion during the event such as banners, backdrops, etc.
  • Company name and logo displayed at the registration booth
  • Sponsor for power hour business development program for 6 months
  • Recognized as the luncheon sponsor of the award event on Aug. 28 with signs on tables as acknowledgment
  • Buy Package
  • This is the 1st item
  • This is the 2nd item

Innovator Sponsor Level

$5,000
  • 8 Tickets to the Event
  • Two years Chamber membership
  • Inclusion in KMTV spot
  • 60 days of paid Social Media Ads
  • Company logo on Event page on Chamber’s website
  • Included in promotional videos
  • Company logo displayed during the Event
  • Company logo on the Event backdrop
  • Brand recognition beyond the Event
  • Item(s) from company included in the attendees’ bag
  • Company name included in email to attendees
  • Company executive/representative(s) to be one of the finale judges
  • Featured short pre-approved video of the company at the Event
  • Company’s signage on the podium and visible to entrepreneurs, leaders, and game-changers.
  • Branding with promotional messages of inclusion during the Event
  • Company’s name and logo displayed at the registration booth
  • Buy Package
  • This is the 1st item
  • This is the 2nd item

Gold Sponsor Level - Accelerator

$2,500
  • 8 Tickets to the Event
  • 1 year chamber membership
  • 30 days of paid Social Media Ads
  • Company logo on Event page on Chamber’s website for added visibility
  • Included in social media posts
  • Company logo displayed during the Event
  • Company logo on the Event backdrop
  • Brand recognition beyond the Event
  • Item(s) from company included in the attendees’ bag
  • Company name included in email to attendees
  • Buy Package
  • This is the 1st item
  • This is the 2nd item

Silver Sponsor Level - Partner

$1,500
  • 4 Tickets to the Event
  • 1 year chamber membership
  • 20 days of paid Social Media Ads
  • Company logo on Event page on Chamber’s website for added visibility
  • Included in promotional videos
  • Company logo displayed during the Event
  • Buy Package
  • This is the 1st item
  • This is the 2nd item

Bronze Sponsor Level- Supporter

$500
  • 14 days of paid Social Media Ads
  • 2 Tickets to the Event
  • 5K Social Media Reach/Promotional Prints
  • Company logo on Event page on Chamber’s website for added visibility
  • Buy Package
  • This is the 1st item
  • This is the 2nd item

Sponsors

    Partners

    Media Partners

    Fiscal Partners

    Community Partners

    Contact us

     

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

    (402) 858-2020 info@wepitchblack.com