Empowerment Pitch Competition  

The African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida and IKEA US Community Foundation are excited to announce this year’s Empowerment Business Conference will include a new pitch competition, providing Black-owned businesses the opportunity to win funds to be used for the growth and scale of their operation. Central Florida’s Black-owned businesses are invited to submit the application to participate in the inaugural Empowerment Pitch Competition that will take place at the 2022 Empowerment Business Conference. 

Applications to participate are due by Friday, August 5, 2022 

Now in its third year, the 2022 Empowerment Business Conference continues to build on its success and provide a day-long event that allows business owners and entrepreneurs to learn, share ideas,  strategize, and grow. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to network, interact with vendors, participate in educational workshop sessions, and enjoy the Empowerment Luncheon. The event will take place on Friday, August 19, 2022, at Full Sail University.  

New to the conference this year, the Inaugural Empowerment Pitch Competition is geared towards showcasing established business owners seeking funding to branch into a new area, invest in additional marketing, or other ways to “accelerate” their business to the next level. This competition is not intended for start-up funding. 

Five finalists will be selected to compete on Friday, August 19, 2022, at the 3rd Annual Empowerment Business Conference. In addition, they will attend a “Practice Your Pitch” session on August 12, 2022, where they will be given feedback and have the opportunity to refine their pitch.

To learn more about eligibility requirements and complete the online application, visit: www.blackcommerce.org/pitchcompetition 

Prizes: 

First place: $10,000 

Second place: $7,000 

Third place: $3,000 

Fourth place: Admission to Accelerate Central Florida Cohort  

Fifth place: Admission to Accelerate Central Florida Cohort  

*First – Third place cash prizes also include admission to Accelerate Central Florida Cohort 

** The five (5) selected finalists will have complimentary admission to the Empowerment Business Conference on August 19, 2022. **
** Applying for the pitch competition and/or paying the application fee for the pitch competition does not grant automatic admission to the Empowerment Business Conference.  If you are not selected as one of the five (5) finalists and would like to attend the conference, you will need to register and pay the registration fee at:  2022 Empowerment Business Conference - Aug 19, 2022 - Events – African American Chamber of Commerce Central Florida (chambermaster.com)