60-Second-Pitch Competition
for Black-owned startup and small businesses

Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation’s Small Business Spotlight on February 24, 2022 is a Black History Month business pitch competition spotlighting Black-owned startup and small businesses in Los Angeles County. Winners will walk away with cash prizes for the best 60-second business pitch among their peers. The hour and a half online event is the first of a series of three business pitch competitions in 2022 from VSEDC as a part of our Small Business Spotlight Series.

The events begins with an award ceremony for the contributions three outstanding individuals have made to our community. Sharon Coleman, CEO of Coleman Construction and President of the Southern California Chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors, Robert Lewis, President and Board Chair of BCIF - Black Cooperative Investment Fund, and California State Senator Sydney K. Kamlager, who represents the 30th District.

Startup and small Black businesses’ applications will be screened by an internal committee, which will announce the participants February 24. Participants will receive free coaching from VSEDC consultants to help them refine their pitch and prepare for the competition. Judges from the lending industry will score business pitches to decide two of the winners. The defining categories are: length of pitch, clarity of message, and ability/or probability to penetrate their market.

The audience will also participate by casting live online votes to decide the Audience Choice Award. Small businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and lenders are encouraged to attend