2026 Small Business Pitch Competition

Presented by the Economic Education Series partners:

We are excited to invite small businesses to apply for the 2026 Small Business Saturday Pitch Competition! This is an incredible opportunity for local entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas and compete for funding that can take their business to the next level.

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Qualifications:

• Must be a registered small business operating in Southeast Michigan (Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe, St. Clair Counties)

• Your business can be brick-and-mortar, online, or hybrid

• Must demonstrate a clear commitment to community engagement and growth.

• Must submit a complete application, essay, and video submission by the posted deadline.

 

Conflict of Interest and Ineligibility:

To ensure fairness and avoid conflicts of interest, applicants are automatically ineligible if any of the following apply:

• The applicant, any owner(s) or partner(s) of the applicant’s business, or the applicant’s business under new management, has previously won a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Southfield Alumnae Chapter /Torch of Wisdom Foundation, Inc. Economic Education Series Pitch Competition.
• The applicant is a current TOWF Board Member, TOWF Volunteer, or a member of the *immediate family or household of either.
  The applicant has served as a TOWF Board Member or TOWF Volunteer within the past five years or is a member of the immediate family or household of either.
• The applicant is a current member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Southfield Alumnae Chapter, or a member of the *immediate family or household of such member.
• The applicant was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Southfield Alumnae Chapter within the past five years, or is a member of the immediate family or household of such member.

 

*Immediate Family includes spouses, domestic partners, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, in-laws, stepchildren and parents and any individual for whom the Board member or committee member provides financial support.

 

APPLICATION COMPONENTS

Contact Information:

Complete all the fields in the form below.

 

Essay Submission (1,000 words or fewer - minimum of 200 words)

Participants must address the following:

• Business name: Clearly identify your business.
• Years in operation: Indicate how long you’ve been in business.
• Why you should be selected: Share what makes your business unique and deserving.
• Problem and Solution: Explain how your business has addressed or is addressing your target market's pain point.
  
• Community impact: Describe your business's contribution to the community with examples.
• Use of funds: Explain how you plan to use the prize to grow and sustain your business.

 

Video Submission (5 minutes or less)

Submit a clear and well-organized video that addresses the following:

• Business name and industry: Clearly identify your business and industry.
• Years in operation: Indicate how long you’ve been in business.
• Why you should be selected: Answer what makes your business stand apart from other small businesses.
• Market and Traction: Provide details about your market, target audience, price structure, etc.
• Community impact: Describe your business's contribution to the community with examples.
• Use of funds: Explain how you plan to use the prize to grow and sustain your business.

 

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

• Submit your completed application, essay, and video through this online portal by the deadline: Friday, October 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
• Essays should be clear, well-organized, and free of grammatical errors. NOTE: All applications will be screened for AI use)
• Videos should be no longer than 5-minutes, clear in quality, and professional in presentation. (NOTE: File types accepted: MP4 or MOV. Size limit: 250MB to 500MB)
• Incomplete applications or those not meeting eligibility requirements will not be considered.

 

JUDGING CRITERIA

• Clarity and professionalism of the application, essay, and video
• Originality and creativity of the business idea
• Demonstrated community impact
• Feasibility and growth potential with prize funding

 

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

Application opens	Monday, September 21, 2026
Submission deadline	Friday, October 30, 2026 (by 11:59 p.m.)
Applications reviewed	November 3–10, 2026
Finalists notified	Tuesday, November 16, 2026
Prize winners check presentation	Saturday, November 28, 2026

NOTE: All dates are subject to change. Please follow us online or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

 

If you have any questions about this pitch competition, please send an email to towf.eesc@gmail.com 

 

We look forward to reading and watching your amazing business story and the impact you’re making in our community. Good luck – and thank you for being a part of this year's Small Business celebration!

Release of Name, Likeness, and Content
By participating in the Economic Education Series 2026 Small Business Competition, I grant the Torch of Wisdom Foundation, Inc. and its affiliates, agents, and representatives the irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free right to use, reproduce, edit, and distribute my name, likeness, voice, biographical information, business name, and any photographs, video, audio, testimonials, or other content captured or submitted in connection with the Competition (collectively, "Content"), in any and all media now known or later developed, for marketing, advertising, promotional, and communications purposes related to the Torch of Wisdom Foundation, Inc. and the Competition.

I understand that I will not receive any compensation, royalty, or other payment for this use, and that the Torch of Wisdom Foundation, Inc. is under no obligation to use my Content. I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished materials, including written copy, that may be used in connection with my name, likeness, or Content.

I represent that I am 18 years of age or older and have the legal capacity to enter into this agreement, or that I have obtained the consent of a parent or legal guardian as reflected below.

I release the Torch of Wisdom Foundation, Inc., its officers, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, or liability arising from the use of my name, likeness, or Content as described above.