About the 2024 Ready, Set, Pitch! Event

More than 300 entrepreneurs have graduated from the Good Enterprises Initiative’s Community Business Academy. We have watched these mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and cousins plan for, start, and grow their own businesses. We have seen them overcome obstacles, take risks, and face all kinds of daunting challenges in order to support their families, build wealth, and improve their communities.

Lowcountry Local First believes that entrepreneurship is a powerful engine for community change and is committed to seeing these new businesses receive the attention and investment they deserve.

The “Ready, Set, Pitch!” event will give Community Business Academy graduates the opportunity to share their stories, ideas, vision, and plan. Five finalists will receive access expert advice and coaching to help them through the pitch process and beyond. Each of the five finalists will be supported if they choose to apply for a 0% interest loan of up to $15,000. Our esteemed panel of judges will select one talented and driven individual to receive a $10,000 prize to help take their business to the next level.

The 2024 Ready, Set, Pitch competition will be held on September 21, 2024.

Pitch Process:

- Attend a mandatory information session
- July 3: All participants are required to submit a 60-second pitch video and three slides.
- July 3-18: COMMITTEE review and evaluate video and slide submissions. Submit evaluations to Brittany Lucas (Brittany@lowcountrylocalfirst.org) no later than 7/18/24.
- July 19: Top 5 entrepreneurs were announced via a Virtual Event. Pitch deck templates are distributed to finalists.
  - Nadine Bennett – Your Mobile Tutor
  - Tana Dukes – The Genuine Ranch
  - Tremaine Moore – Naturally Geechee
  - LaShaya Norton – Wanderland Mobile Grocery
  - Christie Wheeler – Take a Bite Desserts
- August 12 – September 13: Individual coaching sessions scheduled with top 5 entrepreneurs.
- September 21: Pitch Day (2PM – 4PM, Location TBD) All COMMITTEE members are welcome to attend.
- September 23: Winner and top 5 entrepreneurs publicly announced through press release