Women-owned businesses, including startups, can apply to compete for two $2,500 grants available as part of SCORE NJ’s Business Pitch Competition this summer.
To be eligible, the business must be at least 51% women-owned, located in New Jersey, and registered with the state. Nonprofits, as well as companies whose businesses are related to firearms, cannabis and cannabis products, or adult entertainment, are excluded.
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria to determine which women-owned businesses will advance to the semi-finalist round:
- The need for the business’ product or service, and the problem that it solves
- The creativity of the product or service
- The product or service’s potential to have a positive impact
- The number of jobs the product or service could create
To obtain an application, email SCORE NJ at ch.admin0024@scorevolunteer.org or download it here. Completed applications must be submitted by 12 noon on June 6. Applicants who are selected as semifinalists will be notified by June 17 that they are advancing to the pitch round of the competition.
Each semi-finalist will be given the opportunity to work with a SCORE NJ mentor between June 20 and July 15 to perfect their 15-minute pitch presentations. The competition itself takes place online the week of July 18 with semifinalists answering questions from judges following pitch presentations. The winners of the $2,500 grants will be announced July 22 and their businesses will be promoted online across SCORE’s national and New Jersey Score social media venues.
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small businesses. It is the nation’s largest network of free, expert business mentors and has seven New Jersey chapters.
More information about the SCORE NJ Business Pitch Competition for women-owned businesses and startups can be found here or on SCORE NJ’s Facebook page.
