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ElevAsian Pitch Contests

Overview

Our pitch contests provide entrepreneurs with a platform to present their businesses to a panel of judges, receive meaningful feedback, and connect with a wider community of peers, mentors, and supporters, while also competing for cash prizes designed to help them grow, validate, and advance their ventures.

ElevAsian has been organizing and running pitch contests in partnership with community-based organizations and chambers of commerce in underserved communities since its first online contest in the midst of COVID 19. The purpose of the pitch contests is to showcase early stage ventures, inject capital into unbankable businesses, and provide feedback and validation from juror panels and live audiences.

A hallmark of ElevAsian pitch contests is their celebratory atmosphere. Contestants invite family and friends to cheer them on. Another hallmark of ElevAsian pitch contests is their win-win spirit. All contestants, whether they win cash prizes or not, can have 15 minute private consultations with the judges after the contest.

People serving and getting food at a buffet-style food station with trays of fried chicken and other dishes, in a social setting.

These events are FREE and open to the public. Individuals with innovative ideas or business opportunities are warmly encouraged to apply and take the stage. Community members and advocates of local businesses are equally welcome to attend and celebrate the entrepreneurs shaping our ecosystem.

How it Works

This pitch contest is designed as a supportive space where entrepreneurs are encouraged to share their stories, journeys, and businesses in an authentic and empowering environment. Participants gain exposure, feedback, and encouragement from an audience they may not have otherwise reached, helping them build confidence, expand their visibility, and connect with new opportunities for growth and support.

Open to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, and disability.

- Each contestant will have 4 minutes to present their business, idea, or opportunity to a panel of judges.
- Presentations will be followed by audience engagement and judging deliberation.
All contestants will receive a complementary 30-minute virtual consultative session with CEO & Founder, Andy Goldberg, for feedback and guidance on their pitch deck slides and speeches.
- Existing Business Track: Open to businesses with at least 1 year of operations and revenue
- New Venture Track: Open to early-stage founders and idea-stage entrepreneurs
- Existing Business Track:
  - 1st Place: $5,000
  - 2nd Place: $2,500
  - 3rd Place: $1,250
- New Venture Track:
  - Winner: $2,500
- Audience Choice Award:
  - $500 awarded to the contestant voted most impactful by attendees
  - So, we encourage you to bring your family, friends, and supporters!
- Existing Business Track: 10 contestants
- New Venture Track: 5 contestants

Trusted Resource

ElevAsian's signature Cohort & Mentorship Program's average Net Promoter Score, which measures customer satisfaction, is 80 over 5 cohorts. Scores of 30-70 are considered great, 71-100 exceptional.

Pitch Contest Message from Senator Markey!

“It was a pleasure seeing you at the Quincy Pitch Contest yesterday evening. Thank you again for the invitation. The turnout was fantastic, and it was great to see Mayor Koch, Lorraine, and Nam Pham in attendance. The contestants were well prepared and did an excellent job presenting their businesses, and the judges asked insightful, thoughtful questions. I seriously felt like I was watching Shark Tank. I especially enjoyed hearing how participants are leveraging AI to support and grow their businesses these days.

This was actually my first pitch contest, and I can see firsthand how impactful it is. Programs like this play an important role in supporting small business growth and strengthening relationships within the local business community, including with financial institutions. I would welcome the opportunity for M&T Bank to support a future event as a sponsor.

You’ve built a truly impressive program, and it’s clear why Lorraine is such a strong supporter of ElevAsian.”

–Herb Wong, Relationship Manager VP, M&T Bank (Quincy Pitch Contest VIP)

“What a mesmerizing experience I had last night; being a judge for the ElevAsian Business Pitch Contest celebrated at Middlesex Community College in Lowell. Thanks a million to Andrew Goldberg, Mealea Chan-Polcari and Ren Lanzi for the invite, you guys are doing a great job with the community. What an honor to support and elevate our AAPI entrepreneurs side by side with my fellow judges panel, two powerhouses like Sandhya Balasubramanian and Susu Wong.

Your passion and commitment to our small business ecosystem is beyond remarkable. Congratulations to all participants and especially to the winners. Vichtcha Kong, thanks for joining us to celebrate these entrepreneurs and their journey. Abby Nguyen-Burke, the food was A+++ but what I loved the most was the diverse and innovative business concepts showcased at the event.”

–Jose Abreu, AVP, Eastern Bank Equity Alliance for Business (Lowell Pitch Contest Judge)

“I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the wonderful opportunity at the Quincy Pitch Contest! As contestants, we always leave with so much more takeaways than we first came in. It is inspiring to see the dreamers and builders not only trying to make the world a better place but making it into a viable profitable business.”

–Anjana Sudhir, YogamiKids (Quincy Pitch Contestant)

Discover More About the Program by Downloading Our Brochure

Download

Group of diverse people posing for a photo in front of a presentation screen at Middlesex Community College.

A woman with glasses and a bun hairstyle standing next to a table with various colorful hats, some displayed on mannequin heads, and holding a microphone and some papers. She is smiling and wearing a yellow T-shirt and black pants.

Group of six diverse people standing together at a professional event, smiling and talking.

Group of people on stage holding large checks at an awards ceremony for an Asian Business Pitch Contest, with some standing on a platform and others on the floor, in front of a dark purple curtain.

A panel of women seated at a long table with laptops and water bottles, in front of a large audience of diverse individuals in a wood-paneled conference room.

Two individuals speaking at an event, one woman holding a microphone and the other man holding a microphone and a phone, with a purple curtain in the background.

Attendees sitting at tables with laptops, drinks, and papers during a professional conference or seminar in a brightly lit room.

Group of nine diverse people standing together, smiling and raising their fists in celebration, indoors with a white screen in the background.

A diverse group of people seated in an indoor setting, smiling and clapping, with a man in a suit standing and raising his hands, in front of a window with curtains.

A woman in front of a panel of three people speaking into a microphone during a meeting or conference. The woman has long hair with a large black bow and is wearing a black top and a cream skirt with black butterfly print. The panel members are sitti

A woman presenting with a microphone in a conference room, with attendees sitting at tables with laptops and beverages, and a man standing near a window smiling.

Group of six people at a professional event, standing together and smiling for a photo, with a presentation screen in the background.

View Previous Pitch Contest Photos

One pitch can change everything.

What could $5,500 do for your business right now?
Is your business ready to be seen, heard, and supported by a wider audience?
What opportunities could open up if you pitched your business to the right audience?
Would presenting your business to experienced judges help you refine your direction?

Apply Now