FLINT, Mich. – A business pitch competition puts $10,000 within reach for three local small businesses and start-ups. The Flint First Entrepreneur Pitch Competition is a business development series allowing 40 small business owners to compete for a grant. Leading up to their pitch, entrepreneurs will participate in classes provided by Metro Community Development, 100K Ideas, and Flint Development Center. The competition is also a collaboration with Huntington Bank and the City of Flint.
“Flint has many remarkable small businesses that exhibit longevity, and start-ups that have the potential for rapid growth,” said Greg Veiner, Flint market president for Huntington Bank.
“Huntington is supporting the Flint First Entrepreneur Pitch Competition to help some of these businesses bring their ideas to life,” Veiner added. “We want to equip business owners with the skills they need to prepare a great pitch. Even if they don’t win this competition, they will have a solid pitch that they can deliver to investors or lenders with confidence.”
Over four months, entrepreneurs may participate in five sessions held at the Flint Development Center. Participants will prepare and develop an intriguing pitch during the first four workshops. The July 19 session has already passed, but there are three more classes until the competition day: Aug. 16, Sept. 20, and Oct. 11, from 5 – 7 p.m. The pitch competition will occur on Oct. 18 at Shops on Saginaw in downtown Flint.
So far, 23 entrepreneurs have registered and begun the workshops. The competition is only available to business owners who make less than $250,000 in revenue annually. To register, call Shelly-Sparks Green at 810-422-9833, extension 7. The last day to register is Aug. 16.
About Metro Community Development
Metro Community Development (MCD), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is committed to fostering community development by increasing the availability of credit, investment capital and financial services to underserved individuals. During FY 2021-22, Metro provided financial literacy training for 98 local families and administered HUD-certified coaching for an additional 379 local residents to help them prepare to become home buyers. For more information, visit https://www.metrocommunitydevelopment.com/.
