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Pitch Competition

Pitch Competition

North America

North America

OPEN

OPEN

GRANT · HOW TO WIN THIS

Fast Pitch Competition

Fast Pitch Competition

$25,000 per track winner (Tech and Consumer/CPG), plus a $5,000 Junior VC award; total prize pool is $55,000.

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Runs annually; the 2026 application window has closed. Check the Women Founders Network site for the next round's opening date.

AMOUNT

$25,000 per track winner (Tech and Consumer/CPG), plus a $5,000 Junior VC award; total prize pool is $55,000.

AMOUNT

$25,000 per track winner (Tech and Consumer/CPG), plus a $5,000 Junior VC award; total prize pool is $55,000.

DEADLINE

Runs annually; the 2026 application window has closed. Check the Women Founders Network site for the next round's opening date.

DEADLINE

Runs annually; the 2026 application window has closed. Check the Women Founders Network site for the next round's opening date.

FUNDING TYPE

Pitch Competition

CAN YOU GET THIS?

You're eligible if a woman is founder, co-founder, or CEO—or the business is majority woman-owned—and you're based in the US with under $750K raised.

You're eligible if a woman is founder, co-founder, or CEO—or the business is majority woman-owned—and you're based in the US with under $750K raised.

Pre-revenue is welcome as long as you can show customer interest. Nonprofits, Life Sciences, and cannabis/CBD companies are excluded, and you must be able to attend in person in Los Angeles on the event date.

Pre-revenue is welcome as long as you can show customer interest. Nonprofits, Life Sciences, and cannabis/CBD companies are excluded, and you must be able to attend in person in Los Angeles on the event date.

YOUR REAL ODDS

Only 10 finalists are selected annually, competing for a total prize pool of $55,000 across two tracks.

The competition is annual and held at UCLA. Getting to the finalist stage itself carries significant non-cash value—coaching, mentorship, and investor introductions—so even non-winners may attract funding from investors who review applications.

WHAT IT TAKES

  1. Check eligibility and prepare application materials (pitch deck, proof of customer interest if pre-revenue) — 1-2 weeks

  2. Submit application during the open window — 1-2 hours

  3. If selected as finalist, complete pitch coaching and practice pitch events ahead of the October event — Several weeks

  4. Pitch in person at UCLA on competition day — 1 day

WORTH KNOWING

Even founders who don't make the top 10 finalists may receive funding—investors review all applications, not just finalists' pitches.

Apply on the funder’s site →

MORE LIKE THIS

TechRise Chicago Grants

$25,000–$50,000 non-dilutive, awarded per competition event.

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.

Enthuse Foundation’s 8th Annual Pitch...

$15,000 cash grand prize (plus $120,000+ in-kind package); awarded once per year.

Women-founded food, beverage, or CPG startups based in the US with under $750K revenue can apply.

This is 1 of 1,600+ open opportunities.

This is 1 of 1,600+ open opportunities.

$50B+ in available capital across grants, VC funds, CDFIs, and accelerators. Filter by your industry, stage, and region, and see everything you qualify for.

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