3rd Annual Small Business Pitch Competition
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Delmar Main Street & the Metropolitan St. Louis CRA Association are pleased to present the 3rd Annual Small Business Pitch Competition to celebrate, support, and uplift local small businesses in the St. Louis region. We are seeking for-profit businesses and entrepreneurs looking to kick start or grow their business operations. Semi- Finalists will be selected by October 21.
All candidates will be sent a link to sign up to "Ask-A-Banker" - a 30 minute conversation with a banker, where you can practice your pitch responses. Those selected as a finalist will be invited to attend a Pitch Perfect Luncheon (TBD) where a small business pitch expert will share some tips and advice.
Only six candidates will be selected to pitch their business or growth idea to a panel of judges to win the prizes below. Thanks to our sponsors: CRA Association, Enterprise Bank, First Mid Bank, Commerce Bank, US Bank
1st Place - $10,000
2nd Place - $5,000
3rd Place - $2,500
Applicants must meet the following criteria to participate in the Small Business Saturday 2025 Business Plan Competition:
Be a start-up or existing for-profit small business, focused on innovative ideas, products, or services with an identified market need and potential for commercialization.
For-profit small business with revenues under $1MM.
Submit new ideas or expansion opportunities, not current business operations.
Have a business located in St. Louis County or St. Louis City
Cannot be a public governmental entity, nonprofit organization, public/private school, or university/college.
*Businesses concerning cannabis, gambling, or lobbying activities, as well as any other activities strictly prohibited by Federal and/or Illinois or Missouri law, are ineligible for the competition.
Finalists from the 2024 Small Business Pitch are not eligible to participate until 2026.
Application Timeline:
Applications Live: October 1 - October 14 (3PM)
Virtual Ask-A-Banker Sessions: Oct 15-17 (30 minute one-on-one sessions with bankers)
Semi-Finalists notified by October 21
"Sweet Tips" Small Business Networking (all applicants) - November 4 from 3pm - 5pm
Semi-Finalists Applications Due November 7
"Pitch Perfect" Semi-Finalists Luncheon - Monday, November 10th from 11am - 1pm (location TBD)
Five Pitch Finalists Notified on November 12
Pitch Decks Due November 21
Live Pitch Competition - Saturday, November 29 from 11am - 1pm
SHOP SMALL HOLIDAY EXPO, Saturday, November 29 from 1pm - 6pm
Please follow Delmar Main Street on social media to receive the latest updates about the event: @Delmarmainstreetstl or email Lisa at delmarmainstreetstl@gmail.com.
