Philly Gets Back in the Black Tech Pitch Contest

Access a free business bootcamp and compete for $50k+ in non-dilutive funding...

Philly Gets Back in the Black Pitch Contest is a collaborative initiative between Mom Your Business, First Founders Inc. and TEACHERS &, that aims to empower underrepresented startup founders in the Philadelphia region.

Our mission is to provide a platform for Black-owned businesses to showcase their innovative use of technology, enhance productivity, and drive revenue growth.

Building On Success

In September 2022, Mom Your Business, First Founders Inc., and TEACHERS & joined forces as member organizations of the Black Innovation Alliance. As part of this alliance, Google partnered with us to embark on a nationwide tour of emerging innovation hubs, including Philadelphia, PA, to engage with Black communities embracing technology to scale their businesses and foster economic development. Additionally, the flagship program of Mom Your Business, the Founders to Funders Cultivating Female Startups Business Accelerator, has already helped founders raise over $250,000 in non-diluted capital.

Save the Date

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2023 | 4:00 PM

Quorum 3675 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

About The Program

In partnership with Mom Your Business, First Founders Inc., and TEACHERS &, the Philly Gets Back in the Black Tech Pitch Contest will identify and select Black-owned businesses to participate in a transformative contest. These businesses will have the opportunity to demonstrate their innovative use of technology, with a focus on tech-enablement and innovation that enhances productivity and drives revenue growth.

Contest Prizes

Philly Gets Back in the Black Tech Pitch Contest will award a grand prize of $50,000 to the most promising Black-owned tech startup. Additionally, smaller awards totaling $20,000 will be dispersed to recognize other outstanding participants.

Back in the Black Bootcamp

To further support the growth of Black-owned tech businesses, Mom Your Business and its partners will target twenty-five new and aspiring tech entrepreneurs for the Back in the Black Bootcamp. This intensive four-week program will provide focused training and mentorship in key business development areas, including branding, marketing, and operations.

4-Week Bootcamp and Pitch Day

Join us for an immersive and empowering 4-week bootcamp designed to accelerate the growth of your tech startup. The bootcamp will be held every Wednesday from August 16th, with sessions running from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Throughout the bootcamp, we will focus on four essential areas: branding, operations, marketing, and pitch preparation.

Bootcamp Curriculum:

Branding: Learn strategies to effectively position your brand in the market and create a strong brand identity that resonates with your target audience.

Operations: Gain insights into optimizing your business operations, streamlining processes, and enhancing overall efficiency.

Marketing: Explore innovative marketing techniques and digital strategies to promote your tech startup and attract customers.

Pitch Preparation: Receive expert guidance on crafting a compelling and concise 8-minute pitch that showcases the unique value proposition of your business.

Selection Process and Criteria: Bootcamp participants will be selected through an application form. To be eligible, your tech startup should have annual revenues that do not exceed $250,000. Finalists for the pitch contest will be determined based on bootcamp attendance, active participation, and a lightning pitch session where participants have 90 seconds to pitch their business concept.

Pitch Day

On October 4th, the culmination of the Philly Gets Back in the Black Tech Pitch Contest will take place with our highly anticipated Pitch Day. Five finalists will have the opportunity to present their startups to a panel of three esteemed judges. Each finalist will have 8 minutes to deliver their pitch, followed by a 5-minute Q&A session with the judges.

This is your chance to showcase your innovative tech solution, impress the judges with your entrepreneurial prowess, and vie for the chance to secure investment and valuable resources to propel your startup forward.

Join us for the 4-week bootcamp, sharpen your pitching skills, and be part of the exciting Pitch Day where dreams become reality!

Eligibility Requirements for Applicants

To participate in the Philly Gets Back in the Black Tech Pitch Contest, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Attendance on Oct. 4th: It is mandatory for applicants to be available and present on October 4th for the pitch competition.

Business Location: Your business should be located within Philadelphia, PA.

Black Ownership: The business must be 51% or more Black-owned.

Tech Business Focus: Your business should operate as a "Tech-enabled” business, incorporating science or technology into your product or service. This includes areas such as Food Tech, Health Tech, IT, IT Services, and more. A tech-enabled business is a company that uses technology to improve its operations or deliver its products or services. This could involve using software, hardware, or online platforms to automate tasks, streamline processes, or reach a wider audience. If you are unsure, please feel free to apply.

Company Registration: The business must be headquartered in the United States.

Unique Product/Service: Your business should offer a unique product or service that solves a problem.

Exclusions: The following industries are not eligible for participation: Alcohol, Tobacco, Gambling, and Pornography.

Website & Email: Your business should have its own website and email.

Originality and Compliance: Plagiarism, copied intellectual property (IP), and offshore entities/resources are not permitted.

For-Profit: The business should operate as a for-profit entity.

Travel Requirement: Applicants must be able to travel to Philadelphia, PA on October 4th, 2023, for the pitch competition.

Workshop Attendance: Applicants must attend all virtual workshops, actively participate in financial statement development, and pitch deck development.

Use of Funds: The funds received through the contest should be utilized for business development purposes and not for private or personal use. Winners agree to share the use of funds and their journey for twelve months following the contest to demonstrate impact.