PitcHER

A Special Collaboration with Philly Startup Leaders

Created by founders for founders, Philly Startup Leaders (PSL) is the largest and most active community of startup entrepreneurs in Philadelphia, now partnering with AnitaB.org for our pitch competition, PitcHER™, right here in Philly at GHC 24.

PSL supports current and future founders by providing them with the education, mentorship, and network needed to scale their businesses. We are excited to leverage this unique opportunity to tie into the vibrant energy and innovative spirit of Philadelphia.

About AnitaB.org PitcHER™

PitcHER™ is an annual pitch competition bringing leading women and nonbinary entrepreneurs to Grace Hopper Celebration – the world’s largest gathering of women and nonbinary technologists – with the goal of supporting, encouraging, and providing new funding opportunities to these entrepreneurs.

This year, we are looking for entrepreneurs from all industries who are leading early-stage technology startups.

The top 10 finalists will compete at Grace Hopper Celebration 2024 for $100,000 in funding. All 10 finalists will receive GHC 24 in-person registration, travel, and lodging accommodations.

Award Packages

1st Place – $50,000
2nd Place – $30,000
3rd Place – $20,000

PitcHER™ winners will also receive one year of mentorship from competition judges; each winner will be matched with a judge based on identified need and/or industry alignment.

Winners will receive complimentary registration to attend PitcHER™ at GHC 25 as a featured guest.

Who Can Apply

  • Executive Team: You (the applicant and, if selected as a finalist, the pitch presenter) must identify as a woman or nonbinary, be the founder of your business, and be part of the current executive team (e.g. the CEO or CTO).
  • Stage: Your startup is in its early stage of development (seed): You have a minimum viable product (MVP) and have gotten some user feedback. Revenue is not required.
  • Funding: Your startup has raised less than $2 million in total funding including self-funding, friends and family, angel investors, grants, etc.
  • Location: Your startup is based in the U.S. and serves the U.S. market (although it may also be international).
  • Return of Capital: (For-profit startups only) Your startup provides compelling evidence that it will be profitable enough to reward investors for risk.
  • Scale of Impact: (Nonprofit startups only) Your startup provides compelling evidence that it will have an impact that aligns with its mission.

 

Finalists will be selected based on a range of criteria. To help our team better understand your business model, these criteria vary for for-profit and nonprofit applicants:

  • Innovation: What is new or innovative about your tech product or service?
  • Impact: What positive impact does your business have on women and/or families and children?
  • Business Model: (For-profit startups only) Your startup is “venture-scalable;” there is potential to grow into a billion-dollar venture.
  • Theory of Change: (Nonprofit startups only) Your startup has a strong and clear theory of change; there is contextual knowledge of public policy, economics, and/or technology.

Application Timeline

March 11 – General Applications Open

April 12 – General Applications Close at 5PM PT

April 22 – Semifinalists Decisions Announced

May 17 – Semifinalist Applications Due

May 29 – Finalist Decisions Announced

 

For general inquiries regarding this program email GHC@AnitaB.org.

AnitaB.org PitcHER™ FAQ

What are the application eligibility criteria?

The eligibility criteria to apply to be a part of the annual AnitaB.org PitcHER™ competition are outlined on this page for your Executive Team, Stage, Funding, Location, Return of Capital, and Scale of Impact. This competition is sector agnostic; we welcome all entrepreneurs who are leading early-stage technology startups and who meet the listed criteria to apply.

What is the application process timeline?

Application closes on April 12, 2024, at 5 pm PT.

Semifinalist candidates will be announced on April 22, 2024, and provided with group coaching from PSL.

The 10 finalists will be announced on May 29, 2024, and invited to pitch at GHC 24.

What are the application review criteria for finalist selections?

Applications will be reviewed against the criteria outlined on this page including Innovation, Impact, Business Model (For-profit startups only), and Theory of Change (Nonprofit startups only).

How will I know the status of my application?

All applicants will be notified of decisions via email; finalist decisions will be announced to the public prior to GHC 24.

What is expected of semifinalists?

Semifinalists will be asked to submit a Semifinalist Application that will include their pitch deck and a set of short-form questions. It is up to the applicant whether they would like to make edits to their pitch deck before resubmitting.

What is expected of finalists?

Finalists will be required to submit a final pitch deck that will be utilized at the PitcHER™ competition at GHC 24. Selected finalists will have the chance to participate in one-on-one coaching from PSL before submission to enhance their pitch decks.

What are the judging criteria for finalists?

Finalists will be judged on their overall content and presentation. Judging criteria will be aligned to the application criteria. All coaching provided by PSL will aim to help finalists prepare their pitches in alignment with competition judging criteria. Applicants will be provided with a copy of the judging criteria upon reaching the semifinalist stage.

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