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BlackPitch CompetitionClosed
Athene Beyond Boundaries Busines...
Athene Black & Brown Pitch Competition
Amount
$20,000
Deadline
Mar 1, 2026
Odds
~3 winners yearly
Effort
30 min
Can you get this?
✓Open to entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals
✓Businesses from across the country may apply
✓Event held in West Des Moines, Iowa
Your real odds
Roughly 10 to 12 finalists compete each year, and 3 walk away as winners while several others receive finalist prizes.
The top prize has ranged from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on the year, and finalists typically receive $1,000, so the field is manageable but the stakes are real.
What it takes
Check funder site for next window and criteria30 min
Prepare and submit your pitch application3 to 5 hrs
Pitch live at the finalist event1 to 2 days
Worth knowing
Past winners come from food, fashion, fintech, and energy, meaning no single sector has an edge, and the in-person summit in West Des Moines is part of the competition itself, so factor in travel if you are not local.
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