Aug. 24. SCORE Charlotte’s Pitch for Growth 2023 competition, which begins Sept. 5, offers small business owners a unique opportunity to pitch their future growth with assistance from SCORE Charlotte members and local business professional experts. Owners can also compete with other local entrepreneurs to win cash prizes.

To participate, small business owners need to complete an application available on the SCORE Charlotte web site beginning Tuesday, Sept. 5. Deadline for applications being submitted is by 5 pm on Friday, Sept. 29.

Details

In October SCORE mentors will announce the top semi-finalists and by Saturday, Oct. 21 the 10 finalists. Mentors will then prepare the top 10 finalists for the post pitch finale.

Prizes

The live in-person post-pitch finale will be held on Thursday, Nov. 16 at the Mint Museum in Charlotte. Three cash prizes will be awarded: $5,000 for the 1st Place Winner and $2,500 each for Second and Third Place Winners of Distinction. A special People’s Choice Award will also be awarded and that winner will be determined by the audience in attendance.

The five judges for the live in-person finale on Thursday, Nov. 16 will be local business leaders from the community.

Requirements to Enter

To enter the Pitch for Growth contest, participants must be over 21 years of age and have been in business for at least one year. Businesses that are non-profit, franchises dealing in adult entertainment, cannabis/marijuana or firearms are not eligible.

Participation in the SCORE Charlotte Pitch for Growth contest is limited to entrepreneurs living in the 13 counties served by SCORE Charlotte in North Carolina and the three counties of South Carolina.