Are you a WBENC-certified WBE looking to elevate your business? Don’t miss out on the incredible opportunity presented by WBENCPitch! This signature WBENC program offers a dynamic series of pitch competitions and educational sessions designed to enhance your business pitch, increase your visibility, and compete for valuable grants and prizes that can take your business to the next level.

This year’s theme is Impact! It's your chance to share your unique story and showcase the impact you’re making, all while effectively communicating your vision and what sets you apart.

Exciting News! The CWE Regional Round is now open! Here is how you can participate: 

Submit your one-minute pitch video by July 24. A select group of up to 16 applicants (8 product-based and 8 service-based businesses) will be invited to pitch on September 23 and 24^th

The rewards are fantastic! 

Not only could you be one of the four finalists who advance to the national semi-finals—two from each category (product-based and service-based — 

• First-place winners (one product-based and one service-based business):
  • $1,000 cash!
  • A complimentary ticket to the CWE Summit - October 7th at The College of the Holy Cross
• Runners-up (one product-based and one service-based business):
  • $350 cash!
  • A complimentary ticket to the CWE Summit - October 7th at The College of the Holy Cross

And the stakes get even higher! The top two National Pitch Winners will walk away with $20,000!  Plus, the runners-up will receive complimentary tickets to the 2027 WBENC conference.

Remember, the first round of pitches will be hosted by CWE via Zoom on September 23 and 24, 2026, so don’t delay.

SUBMIT YOUR PITCH VIDEO AND APPLY TODAY!

Helpful Tips

• Join the WBENC Academy prep sessions
• Focus on explaining the need/problem that your business is addressing
• Explain why your approach is unique
• Reach out to CWE for prep help - info.Regional@CWEonline.org!
• Position yourself in front and center of the camera
• Include props if you'd like

Key Timeline:

• July 24, 2026 - Application Deadline to submit your application for the Regional Round
• August 7, 2026 - Applicant Notification. Select applicants will be notified and invited to the regional live pitch rounds.
• September 23, 2026 - Service-based business selected applicants pitch to a panel of judges via Zoom
• September 24, 2026 - Product-based business selected applicants pitch to a panel of judges via Zoom
• November 2 and 3, 2026 - National Semi-Finals. Four entrepreneurs total (one winning pair and one runner-up pair; split between service and product tracks), will be invited to present their 90-second pitch.
• November 16, 2026 - National Finals. WBENC will select the finalists who will compete with a 2-minute pitch.