GRANT · HOW TO WIN THIS
$15,000 cash grand prize (plus $120,000+ in-kind package); awarded once per year.
Applications open August 2026; live pitch event is held in November (annual cycle).
FUNDING TYPE
Pitch Competition
CAN YOU GET THIS?
YOUR REAL ODDS
Five finalists are selected from 320+ applicants, making the final round highly competitive at roughly 1.5% acceptance.
Only five founders pitch live in New York City, and four judges select the winners. The competition has run annually since 2019, so there is one cycle per year.
WHAT IT TAKES
Confirm eligibility and prepare business overview — 1-3 days
Submit application when portal opens in August 2026 — 1-2 weeks to complete
If selected as a finalist, prepare and deliver live pitch in New York City in November — Several weeks of prep
WORTH KNOWING
Past winners span a range of food and beverage categories, but all had a clear brand story and demonstrated market traction. The finalist experience itself has networking value—finalists are described as permanently connected to each other and the Enthuse community.
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Chicagoland early-stage founders can apply on a rolling basis to pitch for $25K–$50K in non-dilutive capital.
Athene Black & Brown Pitch Competition
Up to $12,000 for the top winner (varies by year); finalists receive $1,000. Awarded annually.
Black and Brown founders of any stage or industry can compete for up to $12,000 at this annual Iowa-based pitch competition.
The Pitch by Deel
Up to $50K SAFE (regional) or up to $1M SAFE (global); annual competition cycle
Early-stage startups from any country can apply free to compete for a $50K or $1M SAFE investment.
$50B+ in available capital across grants, VC funds, CDFIs, and accelerators. Filter by your industry, stage, and region, and see everything you qualify for.
Explore the funding database →
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