The 2025 WBENCPitch Accelerate competition is focused on storytelling and impact. In this ever-changing business landscape, it is critical now more than ever for business owners to effectively communicate beyond their capabilities or the problem they solve. This program provides the coaching, development, and the platform for WBE’s to communicate their business impact to WBENC network stakeholders.
WBEC-East Round one* opens August 1st, 2025. Pitch videos must be submitted by August 29th, 2025.
The top 4 Regional Round Pitch Winners receive a recertification waiver and complimentary tickets to our 2025 Desserts & More Annual Fundraiser & Awards Celebration!
The top 2 National Pitch Winners receive $25K! And the top 2 runners-up receive complimentary 2026 WBENC conference tickets. (One of each in both categories: product-based & service-based).
*Round one of the pitch competition is conducted separately by each Regional Partner Organization (RPO). WBEC-East will accept pitch videos from certified WBEs headquartered in PA, DE and southern NJ. Starting August 1st, WBEs will be able to upload their pre-recorded pitch-videos to our application page. Please direct questions to Colleen LaCoss, Director of Certification & Business Development: clacoss@wbeceast.com
Rules & Eligibility Requirements:
- • Participants must be a certified WBE in WBEC-East’s region of Pennsylvania, Delaware and southern New Jersey.
- • Pitches must be no longer than 60 seconds and must be sent via link (Youtube, Vimeo, Zoom recording or similar video sharing platform). Content past 60 seconds will not be considered.
- • All submissions must be received no later than August 29, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET to be entered into the first round for judging.
- • Pitcher must be the female owner of the company.
- • Pitches must focus on an innovative idea that is ready for market or is currently in market, differentiates from standard offerings within their industry, and/or solves a problem in a new/inventive way.
- • Pitching criteria will focus heavily on effective communication and storytelling abilities.
- • If the pitch is a result from a joint venture between multiple WBE companies, the application must be submitted on behalf of only one of the WBE companies.
Prizes:
- • Top 4 Regional Round Competitors | Free ticket to WBEC-East Desserts, Awards & More Celebration on October 16th, 2025 in Philadelphia, PA.
- • Top 4 Regional Round Competitors | Waiver on next year’s recertification processing fee.
- • Top National Winners | $25,000 for first place in each category (product-based & service-based). Runners-up receive complimentary 2026 WBENC Conference Registration.
Competition Timeline:
- • 5/2, 5/30, 7/25, 8/8 & 9/12 | Pitch Academy Sessions (Optional but highly encouraged)
- • 8/1 | Window opens to submit recorded 60-second pitch videos for first round
- • 8/29 | Deadline to submit recorded 60-second pitch videos for first round
- • 9/30 | Top 3 participants advancing to the semi-finals are notified
- • 10/27-10/28 | Semi-finalists pitch live at National Virtual Semi-Finals event
- • Nov 2025 | National In-Person Finals take place (Location TBD)
Judging Criteria:
Judges will be comprised of WBEC-East Corporate Partners
About WBEC-East
The Women’s Business Enterprise Council East (WBEC-East) is a non-profit organization working with two national organizations. In partnership with the United States Small Business Administration, WBEC-East is a designated Women’s Business Center. As one of fourteen partners of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), WBEC-East provides third-party certification of women-owned businesses. WBEC-East provides extensive entrepreneurial training to start-ups, business development services to small business owners, and access to certified vendors to supplier sourcing professionals.
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