HWS News
6 October 2020 Learn About The Pitch Competition
The Pitch, an entrepreneurial leadership competition, gives student entrepreneurs the chance to transform their idea for a business or nonprofit into a reality. After several weeks of development and mentorship, selected finalists compete to win a $10,000 prize. The Centennial Center is now accepting applications for the 2021 competition. The deadline to apply is Monday, Nov. 9 at noon.
The Centennial Center is hosting an information session about the competition on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. RSVP on Engage here.
Students who participate in The Pitch are supported at every stage of the entrepreneurial process, from idea generation to implementation. Past winners of The Pitch have launched a variety of companies and nonprofits. The first winner of the competition, Sara Wroblowski '13, is the CEO and founder of One Bead, a nonprofit providing youth empowerment and entrepreneurial leadership training in Boston, Mass.
Last year, Nicole Wright '20 won for her proposal Emeritus Fire Gear, a streetwear hoodie designed for firefighters. The product incorporates a Nomex hood, an essential piece of gear for protecting firefighters. This spring, she won the Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise Award at the New York State Business Plan competition.
Students who become semi-finalists will be paired with a mentor with entrepreneurial experience to help strengthen their proposal. After a round of revision, the semi-finalists will be narrowed to five finalists who will present their pitches to an HWS audience and a panel of alum judges.
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of The Pitch, all of the 2021 judges will be past finalists of the competition, including: Wroblowski; Mattie Mead '13, co-founder of Hempitecture; Ato Bensti-Enchill '17, founder of Black Adam Africa; and Sam Solomon '17, founder of Pizza Posto.
This years event will be held on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 7 p.m.
In the photo above, the 2020 Pitch semi-finalists meet with Margiloff Family Entrepreneurial Fellow Ed Bizari in the Bozzuto Center.