Detroit City Wire

Applications are now being accepted for Pitch Black Detroit, a pitch competition organized by the Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC) specifically for Black-owned businesses.

The inaugural Pitch Black event took place in Muskegon County in 2021, created in response to the disproportionately negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black-owned businesses. Following its success, Pitch Black Grand Rapids was held in 2023. In 2024, the competition is moving to the Detroit metro area as part of the Michigan SBDC’s Uplift Michigan initiative, which aims to ensure equitable access for all diverse entrepreneurs across Michigan.

A committee from the Michigan SBDC will evaluate applications and select 25 contestants to participate. These contestants will receive six weeks of customized training through the Uplift Michigan initiative and will be assigned a consultant to help them develop a three-to-five-minute business pitch. This preparation is intended to ready them for presentation before a panel of expert judges.

Following the training period, contestants will engage in virtual pitch rounds to determine the finalists. Up to seven finalists will be selected to present their pitches live on October 3rd before an audience and judging panel, competing for more than $10,000 in cash prizes.

Eastern Michigan University’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation will process these prizes. The first-place grand prize is $5,000; second place will receive $3,500; third place gets $1,500; and there is also a $250 people’s choice award. The prize money can be used for any legitimate business purpose.

Interested participants should apply online by July 21 at 11:59 p.m., with selected contestants being notified by July 30.