When we launched the Black Pitch Contest, our goal was to create an inclusive, barrier-free opportunity for Black entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses. Through your honest feedback, we’ve learned that the public voting section felt like an added hurdle. We hear you loud and clear, and we’re making an immediate change.
✨ Public voting is now removed – No need to gather votes or campaign for support. The contest will now focus entirely on your business, your vision, and your potential.✨
This is about you—your ideas, your innovation, your business. We want to see as many of you step forward as possible. If you’ve been hesitant before, now is your time to shine. No barriers, no extra steps—just your pitch, judged on its own merit.
The Black Pitch Contest is a program operated by the Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada (BEBC) Society and in collaboration with the Black Opportunity Fund (BOF).
This opportunity welcomes Black businesses from across the country to pitch their brilliant idea to win up to $50K in prizing and more! Winners will be announced at this year’s in-person Pitch Competition in May 2025.
Our annual pitch competition serves as a powerful platform for Black entrepreneurs to showcase their visionary ideas, gain invaluable mentorship, and secure crucial funding to propel their ventures forward.
Left to right: Walid Baba Moussa, Evans Eugene Osei, Craig Wellington, Andrea Chambers, Mwenda Dyck, Djalil Baba Moussa, Nanette Sene, Stéphane Beaulne
Elevate your key value proposition. Define what goals you wish to achieve.
Get recognized nationally by your peers, potential investors, collaborators and more!
Connect with like minded entrepreneurs and business owners. Apply for the Black Business Awards!
Pitch your idea live to a panel of judges, meet fellow entrepreneurs, sponsors, investors and more!
Learn from industry experts. Receive free tools, resources and opportunities to reach more customers.
Win cash prizes to help your business thrive. Network and connect with people looking for suppliers just like YOU!
February 1, 2025
Applications Open
March 17, 2025
Applications Close
March 31, 2025
Top 30 (per stream) Announced
April 7, 2025
Top 27 Finalists Announced
April 11, 2025
Top 9 Finalists Announced
Preparations for Live Pitches with Mentors
May 17, 2025
Live Pitch Competition
In-Person in Vancouver, BC
Watch these brilliant pitchers live this May 17th at the Yaletown Roundhouse Community Centre in Vancouver, BC. Join us for an exciting 1-day event starting off with our highly sought after tech panel: Leveraging Technology for Success: Intellectual Property, Social Media, Marketing Automation & Cybersecurity for Your Business.
Following the live pitches, there will be networking and winner(s) of the competition will be awarded at our Gala Awards Ceremony that same night.
Tickets are limited, so get yours before it’s too late! Use code: EARLYBIRD2025 by April 25th.
Video tips and guidelines:
Media and form requirements:
Once all qualified submissions have been accounted for, the first round of judges will narrow it down to the Top 27 Ideas of each stream. This year, the judges had an incredibly difficult time deciding between all the brilliant ideas so the Top 30 of each stream advanced!
Another set of judges will review the Top 30 Ideas and select the Top 9 (of each stream). In total, 27 Ideas will advance! The Top 9 will be announced on Monday, April 7th, 2025.
Another set of judges will evaluate the Top 9 Ideas of each stream. These final judges will determine which 3 ideas will pitch LIVE in Vancouver this May 2025! A total of 9 finalists will advance (3 per stream). Stay tuned as this will be announced on Friday, April 11th, 2025.
The Top 9 brilliant ideas (3 from each stream) will be flown out to pitch LIVE in Vancouver on May 17th! At the live event, judges will be present and following each pitch there will be a Q&A session. Once all pitches have concluded, the judges will deliberate to select our grand prize winner(s)!
Left to right: Nanette Sene, Paul Brassard, Mwenda Dyck
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, you’re not just supporting a contest, you’re investing in the future of Canadian business and contributing to the economic empowerment of the Black community. As a sponsor, your support will greatly impact this transformative initiative and be the catalyst for growth, innovation, and success within Canada’s Black business ecosystem.
