The entire 2023 WBENCPitch MOMENTUM National Competition series exemplified the powerful MOMENTUM within the WBENC network of innovative, groundbreaking and impactful businesses that our WBEs have developed and continue to develop.
Learn more about the 2023 WBENCPitch Winners. Plus, consider supporting each of the the winners and finalists this holiday season as a great way to #BuyWomenOwned!
Again this year, WBENC teamed up with our amazing Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs) to find incredibly innovative women-owned businesses around the country. Hosted by the RPOs, WBEs applied for a chance to participate in the Regional First Round Competitions held throughout summer 2023.
The 2023 WBENCPitch Competition was coupled with the WBENCPitch Academy, brought to you by The ODP Corporation. The WBENCPitch Academy is the education and pitch training activation under the WBENCPitch program umbrella. The primary purpose of the academy is to prepare WBEs to apply and participate in WBENCPitch competitions. WBEs who participate in the WBENCPitch Academy can expect to hone their business pitch and prepare to maximize pitching opportunities, gain actionable resources for successful pitching across all mediums, access expertise and insights from coaches, and receive feedback from fellow business owners.
More than 1,000 WBEs pitched their business concepts through regional competitions, followed by 46 WBEs in the WBENC Semi-Final virtual competitions, and finally the top 25 pitched live at the WBENC Momentum Final Pitch Competition in Philadelphia, PA, on November 28.
Our amazing program sponsors, FedEx and PepsiCo provided the opportunity for WBENCPitch competitors to win up to $50K in prize money! And during the winner announcements, WBENC President & CEO Pamela Prince-Eason announced that, on behalf of the WBENC Board of Directors, two additional service-oriented WBEs would receive $10,000 each!
And on top of that (as if there wasn’t already enough excitement!), our 2023 WBENCPitch Competition judges, which included WBENC Board Chair Nedra Dickson with Accenture, Dave Feldman with Chevron, Brandi Rauch with Shell, and Ampcus CEO Ann Ramakumaran all enthusiastically volunteered to chip in and cover the conference registration fee for all 24 pitch finalists in Denver!
Each of the 2023 WBENCPitch Finalists wowed the audience during the WBENCPitch MOMENTUM Final Competition. Dive more into the winners!
WBENCPitch First Place $50K Winner: KUSHAE
WBENCPitch MOMENTUM First Place Winner and KUSHAE CEO Kimba Williams kept the audience engaged and laughing as she pitched a line of products that, well, may be a little uncomfortable to talk about… As our WBENCPitch Academy, brought to you by The ODP Corporation, discusses and guides WBEs on how to develop, Kimba’s pitch skills and humor – in addition to an innovative, disruptive product – won the day.
KUSHAE helps women reclaim their confidence with the only feminine health assessment – backed by 20+ years of board-certified gynecological experience – that reveals a personalized hygiene routine.
When Dr. Barb and The Natural Diva met, they were a match made in feminine health interests and quickly were swapping ideas and sharing insights on chemical-free solutions to feminine care issues. From there, BK Naturals was born, with a mission to whip up effective, yet gentle, naturally-based feminine care products and pH balanced, created by women, for women. The rest, they say, is Kushae™.
Congratulation to KUSHAE! We cannot wait to see what’s next for this innovative and disruptive brand and movement.
Second Place $25K Winner: Bim Bam Boo
Our second place winner, Zoe Levin, CEO and Founder of Bim Bam Boo, brought her palpable energy and passion to the stage – that was evident immediately. Her mission sparked the judges’ interest as well. As Zoe and Bim Bam Boo say,
“When we’re each better, we’re all better And sometimes better is just a step in the right direction. We believe that one choice, like what you use to wipe your nose, or your bottom, does make a difference. And all those little choices add up.”
Bim Bam Boo makes sustainability-focused, health-forward, elevated paper essentials from fast-growing bamboo fiber. By bringing the unexpected to everyday products, they seek to make the most intimate personal moments a source of private joy. Luckily for the WBENC network and the world, Bim Bam Boo is doing just that!
Surprise! Service-Based WBEs Awarded $10,000 Each
As the WBENCPitch competition final round continued to dazzle the judges and attendees at the WBENC November Event, an idea and opportunity sparked. The WBENC network has grown exponentially in recent years, with incredibly innovative and world-changing WBEs blazing the way and inspiring the next generations of entrepreneurs.
On behalf of the WBENC Board of Directors, Pamela Prince-Eason announced that two more WBES would receive $10K each to further their missions of service and giving back through their women-owned businesses. Journey Steel and Southern Belle Cleaners are not only building powerful businesses, but built into their businesses is the spirit of giving back to bring others with them. This is a theme we see throughout our network.
Congratulations to these awardees!
About Journey Steel
Journey Steel is one of the few certified minority-owned and women-owned self-performing steel fabrication and erection companies in the nation. The leadership team of Journey Steel combines for 60 years of experience in all facets of construction. Breaking barriers in this industry is
CEO Barbara Smith didn’t stop there – through their philantropic initiative, Journeys Soaring Impact, they help disadvantaged inner city youth access a career in the ironworking field with our ironworking pre-apprenticeship workforce development program.
“When we talk about building dreams at Journey Steel, we mean taking significant, purposeful, and sustainable steps to help the communities in which we operate reach their full potential.”
About Southern Belle Cleaners
Southern Belle Cleaners (SBC) is a female founded, cleaning company that specializes in commercial janitorial, property turnover cleaning and extreme decluttering in the Greater Washington, D.C. area. The work they do doesn’t only remove stresses, clutter and messes for clients but also is providing opportunities and employment.
Thank you to Southern Belle Cleaners for all you do!
Buy Women Owned | Congratulations to all of the 2023 WBENCPitch Finalists!
These dynamic women have poured their hearts and souls into their businesses, and now it’s our turn to show our support. Together, we can drive positive change and celebrate the boundless potential of Women Owned enterprises. Every purchase is a vote of confidence in their vision, and a step towards a more inclusive and thriving business landscape. Let’s make a difference, one empowered purchase at a time.
Anar Gourmet Foods
Bevee
Bim Bam Boo
BlackTravelBox
Dallas’ True Pop Popcorn
Daybird
Fria Jewelry
Inspiro Tequila
Journey Steel
Kiss Kiss Goodnight
K-Tec Systems
KUSHAE
Lavender Mobile Spa
Little Patakha Inc
Lux and Nyx
Painterland Sisters
Panic Panties
Southern Belle Cleaners
SUPERFRAU
Terranean Herbs & Spices
Twrl Milk Tea
Uwila Warrior
Vertical Activewear
We can’t wait to see what our WBENCPitch WBEs innovate around next! Stay tuned for more from WBENCPitch and WBENCPitch Academy in 2024 as we continue the MOMENTUM from this year’s national pitch competition and AMPLIFY all of the powerful opportunities occurring within the WBENC network!
