WEpitch

Applications Are Now Open!

About the WEpitch Competition

Applications are now open for the WEpitch competition, a fast-paced business pitch tournament, brought to you by Great Lakes Women’s Business Council (Great Lakes WBC). Fifteen WBEs will pitch their businesses to a panel of business experts on September 24, 2024 at the Great Lakes WBC Business Conference 2024 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan. The Final Four finalists will be selected from the fifteen to pitch live in the final round at the Awards Luncheon on September 25 and a winner will be selected by the audience!

What’s different in 2024

• Every WBE in good standing is eligible to participate even if they’ve won before.
•  The final 4 will move forward to the national competition, eligible for a chance to win up to $25,000!

Eligibility

Participants must meet the following criteria:

1. Applicant must be a WBENC-certified WBE in good standing and must submit the Online Application with a 60-second video by the application deadline of Monday, July 15, 2024.
2. Person pitching must be a female owner of the company.

How to Enter

1. Complete the WEpitch competition Online Application by July 15, 2024. Answer all questions.
2. Include in the online application a link to your 60-second video by July 15, 2024.This video will only be viewed among the application judges selecting the fifteen semi-finalists and will not be part of the live competition. You may send a Zoom file, a file from your phone or a file you know is viewable. Applications will be reviewed if they have a video link. If you are have questions, contact Sherry Cummins at scummins@greatlakeswbc.org.

Competition Guidelines and Rules

1. Pitch is a maximum of 2 minutes long in both the Semi-Finalist round and in the Final Four round.
2. Pitch is strictly the WBE speaking. These are not permitted in the pitch: slides, audio visual support, samples, costumes, props (large or small including wearables). This is firm. Candidates using prohibited supports mentioned are automatically eliminated.
3. Pitch must be about your existing business—existing product, service or business solution that is ready for market or currently in market (not a future idea or endeavor seeking an investor.)
4. WBE participants agree that Great Lakes WBC (GREAT LAKES WBC) may record the pitch rounds throughout the tournament. Video, pictures and recordings of the WEpitch rounds are the property of GREAT LAKES WBC and may be used by GREAT LAKES WBC in any manner, form or medium, including the distribution of links that provide access to archived or stored recordings or captures of the event.
5. The Final Four finalists will present live at Suburban Collection Showplace on the main stage at the Awards Luncheon September 25, 2024. The conference audience will select the Grand Prize Winner.
6. GREAT LAKES WBC does not guarantee that any WBE who participates in this opportunity will be awarded a contract or secure new business.

Selection

1. Applications are reviewed by a closed committee of GREAT LAKES WBC staff and affiliates. From the applications and videos, 15 semi-finalists are selected. All applicants will be notified of those selected.
2. You must be registered for Great Lakes WBC Women’s Business Conference 2024 to participate in the competition (you don’t have to have completed conference registration before you apply.)
3. Semi-Finalists are highly encouraged to attend all training sessions to help prepare for the competition. GREAT LAKES WBC has identified Cathy Mott, CWC Leadership Development, as the 2024 WEpitch coach.
4. Semi-Finalists will present live at Suburban Collection Showplace the afternoon of September 24, 2024 and will be selected by a panel of expert judges.
5. The Final Four finalists will present live at Suburban Collection Showplace on the main stage at the Awards Luncheon September 25, 2024. The conference audience will select the Grand Prize Winner.
6. GREAT LAKES WBC is the final authority on rules, guidelines and decisions impacting the WEpitch.

NOTE: If you are accessing this document online, use the back arrow in your browser to return to your application for completion.

Questions

Direct any questions regarding the 2024 WEpitch competition to Sherry Cummins by calling (734) 677-1400 or by emailing scummins@greatlakeswbc.org.