SOVA Community Bridge Foundation Small Business Pitch Competition Small business pitch application More information about the Small Business Pitch Competition Mission: The Southern Virginia (SOVA) Community Bridge Foundation would like to introduce the SOVA Small Business Pitch Competition. We are specifically looking for new entrepreneurs that would like to start a new business that will be located within the SOVA Bridge Foundation footprint. These businesses can be retail, trades or an invention and will serve the local community. Our goal is to help train new entrepreneurs and provide them with the right tools to grow a flourishing business in our local community. //Prizes: First place will receive $2,500, second place $1,000, and third place $500. Every applicant will also receive business mentorship from local business owners, business online training from Longwood University and free Chamber of Commerce membership for 1 year. //Non-Monetary Prizes: All applicant will be recognized in Chamber publications and social media and will have networking opportunities with local business leaders. Your business will be highlighted in the SOVA Chamber of Commerce Newsletter. Name Please enter your first and last name. First Name * Last Name * Business Name * Email * Please enter your email. Once you have applied, we will send you the criteria for your pitch presentation, judging criteria, prizes, and location and time of the competition which will talk place in July of 2025. Date of Birth * Please enter your age and date of birth. Applicant must be at least 16 years or older to enter. Address Block - US Local Residency: All applicants must reside within Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Prince George or Tri-City areas served by the Southern Virginia (SOVA) Community Bridge Foundation. Address Line 1 * Address Line 2 City * State * Select option... Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut DC Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming DC Zip/Postal Code * Have you been in business for 18 months or less * yes, I have had this business for 18 months or less. no, I have had this business for longer than 18 months. In order to qualify for this competition, you have to have been in business for 18 months or less OR just recently starting your business. Other Requirements Business Training: All applicants are expected to go through the Longwood University Business Training: Home - Longwood Small Business Development Center to help them develop a comprehensive business plan. https://sbdc-longwood.com/ Mentorship: Each applicant will be assigned a mentor from local Chamber of Commerce Business Owners. Business Course Requirement * Yes No Are you willing to complete a free small business course on how to develop a business plan. Mentorship * Yes No Would you be willing to be assigned a mentor from the local Chamber of Commerce Business Owners to help you develop your business plan and get your plan started? Submission Requirements * Yes Not willing Do you understand that you are required to submit a 1-page business plan summary including: Business name and mission/purpose, Potential business location (Online, city or address location), Problem or opportunity that the business will help solve, Proposed solution (product or service), Target market and competition, Revenue model and financial projections (not mandatory) Due by March 1st, 2025, to marketing@sovachamber.com Photo / likeliness Consent * I consent I do not Consent I hereby grant the Southern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the SOVA Bridge Foundation permission to use my name, photo, business name, or any likeness in any and all of its publications including but not limited to printed and digital materials I also wave the right to inspect or improve finished products.
