2023 Equity & Opportunity Business Pitch Competition
The Greater Topeka Partnership and GO Topeka are excited to announce the 2023 Equity and Opportunity Pitch Competition, providing a chance for Shawnee County’s aspiring entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups to present their innovative ideas to some of the area’s business decision makers. The competition will award four prizes to winners, with a total of $38,000 in prize money available to jump start their ventures.
The 2023 Equity and Opportunity Pitch Competition will be held from 5:30-9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16 at the Greater Topeka Partnership, 719 S. Kansas Ave. Each participant will have seven minutes to pitch their business idea that evening. Growing and aspiring entrepreneurs looking to participate in the event should submit their entry for the competition here by Nov. 3, providing basic contact information and details about their business concept. Pitch coaching will be provided to applicants ahead of the competition.
In 2022, The Partnership’s Minority and Women Business Development Pitch Competition brought together local business leaders and optimistic newcomers for an event that helped push business forward for all of Shawnee County. Four winners were selected to receive cash prizes that helped provide both startup capital and funds to expand current operations.
Although startup activity continues to increase, a disparity in entrepreneurship rates among women and people of color remains an issue. Often, these aspiring business owners remain underrepresented in their chosen fields and have lower rates of success in their industries due to a variety of factors both nationally and locally.
“While many people wish to start their own businesses, entrepreneurship does not always become a reality, especially for people of color,” said Tobias Harvey, chair of the Topeka/Shawnee County Small Business Council. “Many times, these individuals are already facing greater challenges when it comes to financial stability, homeownership, and family or health issues that can stifle professional growth.”
The 2023 Equity and Opportunity Pitch Competition aims to provide support for these individuals by supplying a platform for them to gain greater exposure to entrepreneurship. The competition is also designed to increase visibility of the barriers and disadvantages diverse entrepreneurs are working to overcome today.
“This opportunity was nothing short of life altering on multiple levels,” said Dané Shobe, who placed second in the 2022 pitch competition. “Not only did it allow me to take my dream from concept to reality; it also validated my belief that there was value in what I sought to do, and for that and more, I will always be grateful.”
