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The National Black MBA Association®  Dallas – Fort Worth Chapter is excited to launch our Ground Zero: Pitch Challenge and Small Business Showcase on Saturday, November 3rd, 2018. We are passionate about fostering economic prosperity in our African-American community, with the goal of awarding business grants to our membership annually.

This year we are excited to offer a half-day event, in partnership with our strategic partner The Study USA. This event is for everyone – start-ups, black-owned small business owners, budding entrepreneurs, and the community. You don’t want to miss – please see the agenda below:

  • 10:00 AM Start of Small-Business Showcase / Vendors
  • 10:15-11:30 AM Business 101 Workshops
  • 12:30-1:30 PM Pitch Challenge – attendees get to vote on their favorite!
  • 2:00 PM Announcement of Pitch Challenge Winners
  • 3:00 PM Small Business Showcase Ends

For all attendees, including members and guests, we are offering a 75 minute workshop that covers business basics, from funding to marketing support. The first 20 workshop attendees will receive an exclusive NBMBAA Swag Bag!

You can register for the business workshop or as a general attendee here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ground-zero-pitch-challenge-small-business-showcase-business-workshop-tickets-50759094819

For more information, please reach out to programs@dfwmbas.org to learn more!
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Business 101 Workshops

Do you have a business and seeking best-in-class guidance on how to grow it? Well, we have the perfect workshop for you! Join us for a 75 minute master class on getting started – from funding, branding/marketing, to legal advice.

The first 20 people to sign up for workshop receive an exclusive Swag Bag!

Meet Our Experts:
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Cherice J. Williams

Marketing / Brand Consultant

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chericejwilliams/

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Thomas Foley

Legal Consultant / Funding

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasfoleydallas/

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Mark Christie

Start Up Consultant / Funding

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-christie-5a85808/

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We are currently seeking pitch competitors!

If you think your startup embodies a “Big Idea” that can be even bigger, this challenge is for you! We will award monetary and professional services packages for the winners.

1st Place Prize: valued at $6,000! Includes a 3-Hour Innovate Business Consultation with Intuit, 6 month membership to the Study USA including mentorship with SCORE, and $2,000 cash.

2nd Place Prize: valued at $3,000! Includes web design or enhancement with Sargent Branding, 3month membership to the Study USA,, and $1,000 cash.

3rd Place Prize: valued at $1,500! 3-month membership to the Study USA, and $500 cash.

Your Investment: $50 to pitch. Please click the link below to apply – deadline is October 7, 2018 11:59 CST:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GroundZeroPitch

Rules and Eligibility for Pitch Competitors:

1). Applicants must be 18 years or older, a U.S. resident and reside in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex

2). Have a founder who is Black (of African descent), who maintains an ‘at least equal stake’ in the startup (if startup has three owners, at least 33% of its ownership must be Black).

3). Business idea or concept must be in the initial or early stages of development and is the original work of those that are pitching it.

4). Business idea or concept must have a positive impact in the African American Community

5). Each individual or team (3 person max) may enter only one idea or concept when applying for the Challenge.

The organizing team will review each application to determine eligibility and advancement based on Product or Service, Value add to the African American Community, Differentiation of the product compared to others and other key factors.  A maximum of 6 teams will advance to the final pitch competition on November 3. Advanced competitors will be notified and provided a congratulatory letter with additional instructions and the non-refundable $50.00 investment fee is due at that time.  Advanced competitors will also have an opportunity to take advantage of a pitch mentorship session to further prepare for the competition—more info will be provided.

Timeline of events:

  • 10/7: Applications are due by 11:59pm CST
  • 10/12: Introduction/Congratulatory letters for competitors that advanced sent
  • 10/15: Payment deadline
  • 10/20: Pitch Mentorship with The Study (attendance strongly suggested) 9:30 – 11:00am
  • 11/3: Pitch Challenge

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We are also looking for black-owned small business vendors!

Get exposure and showcase your products or services to our membership and the community.

Investment: $50 Members; $75 Non Members. We have limited slots available, so please click the link below to apply – deadline is October 7, 2018 11:59 CST:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GroundZeroBusinessShowcase

Rules and Eligibility for Vendors:

1). Applicants must be 18 years or older, be a U.S. resident and reside in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex

2). Have a founder who is Black (of African descent), who maintains an ‘at least equal stake’ in the startup (if startup has three owners, at least 33% of its ownership must be Black).

3). Service or product must have a positive impact and assist in the development of the African American Community.

4). Vendor can only have 1 product or service per vendor table/fee.

The organizing team will review each application to determine eligibility and advancement based on Product or Service and Value add to the African American Community. Applications will be reviewed and vendors will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Those that advance will be notified and provided a congratulatory letter with additional instructions no later than October 8, 2018. The non refundable investment fee ($50.00 NBMBAA Member or $75.00 Non Member) is due at that time.

Timeline of events:

  • 10/07: Applications are due by 11:59CST
  • 10/08: Final Introduction/Congratulatory letters for accepted vendors sent
  • 10/15: Final Payment deadline

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