PitchFifteen: A Pitch Competition for our Business Equity Community.
Enter for your chance to pitch for $15,000 to grow your business!
Black entrepreneurs continue to face systemic barriers when it comes to accessing funding to grow their businesses.
In 2023, Black founders in the U.S. received just 0.48% of all venture capital dollars. These barriers also extend into our banking systems, where 57% of Black business owners are denied a bank loan during the formation of their business.
Fifteen Percent Pledge is working to close that gap. To date, the Pledge has awarded over $650,000 in direct funding to Black-owned businesses, allowing founders to make their own decisions about how and where to spend investment in order to scale their production. Now we are back with a brand new grant opportunity, and our first ever pitch competition.
We’re inviting all Black founders in our Business Equity Community to apply for their chance to live-pitch their business to a panel of expert judges at a special event in NYC in early June produced by North Six. You asked and we listened – there are no business size or revenue restrictions for this opportunity, so throw your hat in the ring! The winner will walk away with a $15,000 grant, supported by Nordstrom, to power the growth of their business.
Eligibility Criteria
- Member of the Fifteen Percent Pledge's Business Equity Community, brands MUST sign up and submit full updated business details. Any missing business data will render the applicant ineligible.
- Black-owned: At least one self-identifying Black person with 50% or more equity in the company.
- Fosters inclusivity and showcases community impact by pushing against systemic infrastructures that have not prioritized unique consumer needs.
- Must be available to attend and compete in the official NYC pitch competition on June 4, 2024.
Application Process + Timeline
To be eligible for this opportunity, applicants must first create, update, or complete their business profile in our Business Equity Community. Once your business profile is up to date you can apply here. The application period will be open for two weeks. A review committee will select finalists, and the $15,000 grant recipient will be selected by a panel of judges at the PitchFifteen: New York live-pitch competition.
May 3
Application opens
Application opens
May 17
Application closes
Application closes
May 24
Finalists notified
Finalists notified
June 4
Winner announced
Winner announced
Frequently Asked Questions
To provide Black-owned small businesses with access to capital.
Member of the Fifteen Percent Pledge Business Equity Community. You can join by creating an account.
In order to be eligible businesses must sign up and submit full business details, any missing business data will render applicant ineligible.
Black-owned: At least one self-identifying Black person with 50% or more equity in the company
Business fosters inclusivity and showcases community impact by pushing against systemic infrastructures that have not prioritized unique consumer needs.
Business must sell a product, good or service.
Businesses must be based in the United States.
Must be available to attend and compete in NYC on June 4, 2024.
Please see terms and conditions for full details.
Business must only use grant dollars towards marketing, manufacturing and R&D.
Submit (1): 60 Elevator Pitch Video + (1) Brand Pitch Deck.
Sign up to be a member of the Fifteen Percent Pledge Business Equity Community. You can join by creating an account.
If already a member, ensure your account is updated as there have been new fields added in 2024.
Please note, only businesses that have completed profiles, with no missing data will be eligible to receive this grant.
Yes, applications will close at 11:59PM EST on May 17th.
Finalists will be contacted the week of May 20th, though we may reach out before then to request additional information.
Finalists will be notified through the main contact email provided in the Business Equity Community profile.
The winner will receive a cash award. Please note grants are paid out in two disbursements.
Grant funds will be awarded in two disbursements after winners are notified.
No.
We do not accept product samples during the call for applications.
The information you provide will be available to the Fifteen Percent Pledge team and members of the review committee only. Please note that all committee members have signed a non-disclosure agreement.
Yes, but your business must be incorporated and legally operating in the United States of America.
It may be subject to local taxation. Payment of all and any taxes in relation to the cash award is the sole responsibility of the award winner.
English.
We will not accept any applications after the deadline.
Please email brands@15pp.org with a short description and screenshot of your issue.
Due to the overwhelming amount of applications we receive, our team does not have the capacity to provide feedback on individual applications.
We will share a form to upload attachments and videos.
Yes.
Donations
Are you are a founder, venture capitalist, corporate employee, or other leader who wants to invest or contribute to funding a grant for a Black business owner?
Individuals can also donate here to support the Pledge's general operations and long-term organizational growth.
About the Fifteen Percent Pledge
The Fifteen Percent Pledge is a racial equity and economic justice non-profit organization addressing the inequities that exist throughout the American consumer economy and working towards closing the racial wealth gap. In recognition that Black people in the U.S. compromise nearly 15% of the population, the Fifteen Percent Pledge calls on major retailers and corporations to commit a minimum of 15% of their shelf space, sales revenue, and annual spend to support Black-owned businesses. In 2022, the Pledge was the recipient of Fast Company's Most Innovative Company of the Year Award.