Women-owned businesses in Northeast Ohio will have an opportunity to compete for $22,000 in awards during a pitch contest sponsored by KeyBank's Key4Women program and SCORE.
The grand prize winner from two tracks — startups and existing businesses — will earn $10,000, KeyBank said in a statement.
To be eligible, businesses must be 51% owned, controlled, operated and managed by a woman or women, and their businesses must be headquartered in Ashtabula, Carroll, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Harrison, Holmes, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas or Wayne counties.
The application deadline is July 31, 2021.
Ten finalists selected by SCORE representatives will present 4-minute pitches and field questions for 6 minutes, KeyBank said. SCORE mentoring is available to applicants during and after the competition.
SCORE, which stands for the Service Corps of Retired Executives, is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
"SCORE is a great partner in this endeavor, and through this pitch contest, we look forward to offering two critical supports women-owned businesses often struggle to find or ask for: mentorship and capital," said Rachael Sampson, chair of Key4Women, in a statement.
