Register today to join the live audience. Each registration counts for one seat.
Pitch or Ditch
The Wilmington Public Library, in partnership with the Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative and the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce, will host the 2nd Annual Pitch or Ditch minority small business competition. Eight already selected minority entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses to a panel of judges and compete for over to $15,000 in cash prizes.
Thursday | January 26, 2023
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Wilmington Public Library
PANCAKES & PROGRESS
The Wilmington Public Library, in partnership with the Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative and the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce, will host the 2nd Annual Pitch or Ditch minority small business competition. Eight already selected minority entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses to a panel of judges and compete for over to $15,000 in cash prizes.
Thursday | January 26, 2023
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Wilmington Public Library
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
What is the Pitch or Ditch Competition?
This minority small business pitch competition is modeled after ABC’s hit tv-show Shark Tank, where entrepreneurs from around the country present their businesses to a panel of potential investors and partners.
This year’s panel of judges features local and national business leaders, including American business consultant, Dr. Randal Pinkett, the season four winner of The Apprentice. Eight already selcted contestants will be judged based on knowledge of their industry & product being sold, knowledge of their finances, effectiveness of their presentation, and their ability to end on time.
Entrepreneurs will be given seven minutes to pitch their business and another seven minutes to answer questions from the judges. Then, the judges will decide which contestants take home the three-cash prizes.
Register today and join the live audience as you cheer on your favorite Minority Small Business. Each registration counts for one seat. We can’t wait to see you there!
Who’s Taking the Stage?
This year’s panel of judges features both national and local business leaders. Let’s meet them.
Brian DiSabatino
President & CEO
EDIS, LLC.
Tanisha George
President
Trilogy One Consulting
Denita Henderson
Associate State Director
Delaware Small Business Development Center
Chris Kenny
President & CEO
Kenny Family ShopRites of Delaware
Italo Carrieri-Russo
Co-Owner & GM
V&M Italian-American Bistro
Dr. Randal Pinkett
Chairman & CEO
BCT Partners & Winner of “The Apprentice”
Event Details
The event is by invitation-only. There are only 200 seats so it will fill up quickly. Register today and join the live audience as you cheer on your favorite Minority Small Business. Each registration counts for one seat. We can’t wait to see you there!
Thursday | January 26, 2023
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Wilmington Public Library
Networking
Participants and guests will have a chance to network prior to the event. Light hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served.
Event Kickoff
Dan Cruce, Chief Operations Officer, United Way of Delaware, opens the program by discussing the importance of supporting minority small business owners in the State of Delaware.
Greeting
The Honorable Matt Meyer, New Castle County Executive, will speak about this competition’s importance for minority entrepreneurs. Our sponsors will bring greetings on behalf of their respective organizations: Matt Parks, Discover Bank; Darrin Wilson, Chase Bank; and Jamar Rahming, Wilmington Public Library.
Introductions & Rules
Dr. Randal Pinkett, Chairman & CEO of BCT Partners, introduces the contestants and explains the rules as the moderator. He will then introduce the judges and share a brief bio of each person with the audience.
Pitch or Ditch
Each participant will have seven minutes to present their pitch. Following their time, judges will have seven minutes to ask each participant questions about their business. After contestants give their pitch, judges will convene to choose three winners. Each winner will receive a cash prize.
Program Concludes
The 2nd Annual Pitch or Ditch competition concludes with the presentation of prizes and group photos.
EN 
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