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Pitch Competition

Pitch Competition

OPEN

OPEN

GRANT · HOW TO WIN THIS

Made for Retail Chicago — CPG Founders Pitch Competition

Made for Retail Chicago — CPG Founders Pitch Competition

$25,000 total, split nondilutively among the top 3 pitchers; awarded once at the August 27 event.

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Application deadline was July 2, 2026; pitch event is August 27, 2026. Check the funder's site to confirm if applications are still open.

AMOUNT

$25,000 total, split nondilutively among the top 3 pitchers; awarded once at the August 27 event.

AMOUNT

$25,000 total, split nondilutively among the top 3 pitchers; awarded once at the August 27 event.

DEADLINE

Application deadline was July 2, 2026; pitch event is August 27, 2026. Check the funder's site to confirm if applications are still open.

DEADLINE

Application deadline was July 2, 2026; pitch event is August 27, 2026. Check the funder's site to confirm if applications are still open.

FUNDING TYPE

Pitch Competition

CAN YOU GET THIS?

You need to be a CPG founder based in the Chicago area with a product ready for retail.

You need to be a CPG founder based in the Chicago area with a product ready for retail.

The program is focused on consumer packaged goods brands in beauty, fashion, food, or retail. It is designed to help founders get retail-ready, so your product should be in development or early sales stage.

The program is focused on consumer packaged goods brands in beauty, fashion, food, or retail. It is designed to help founders get retail-ready, so your product should be in development or early sales stage.

YOUR REAL ODDS

Five founders pitch live on August 27, and only the top three share the $25,000 total grant.

Ten additional brands join an on-site marketplace but do not receive grant funding. With just three grant winners from five finalists, competition is selective even after the initial screening.

WHAT IT TAKES

  1. Submit your application before the July 2 deadline — 1-3 hours

  2. Participate in the bootcamp and coaching program if selected — Several weeks leading up to August 27

  3. Pitch live to buyers and capital providers on August 27, 2026 — One day

WORTH KNOWING

Even founders who do not win a grant can join the on-site marketplace as one of 10 additional brands, giving you direct access to buyers and capital providers regardless of pitch outcome.

Apply on the funder’s site →

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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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