From Practice to Pitch: Highlights and Winners from Our 3rd Main Street Pitch-Off

Greater Newark Enterprises Corporation (GNEC) held its third Main Street Pitch-Off on October 23, 2024—an impactful competition geared toward empowering local entrepreneurs. Ten participants, each with innovative business ideas, took the stage after receiving personalized coaching to refine their pitches, showcasing their businesses to industry leaders and potential investors.

Coaching and Preparation for Success

Before the Pitch-Off, each entrepreneur received two free coaching sessions with a dream team of mentors: Victor Salama, Executive Director of GNEC; C.J. Meenan, Co-founder of Startup Labs; and Savonne Anderson, Founder of Aya Paper & Co. and the first Main Street Pitch-Off winner. These powerhouse coaches delivered expert feedback, practical pitch strategies, and unwavering support, giving each participant the confidence to shine. Thanks to their guidance, our entrepreneurs came ready to inspire, armed with well-honed pitches that could captivate any audience!

Pitch-Off Competition Structure

The competition took participants through two rounds of pitching. In the first round, entrepreneurs presented their pitches in smaller breakout rooms, allowing judges to ask detailed questions and score them based on clarity, innovation, and business viability. Judges then reviewed the scores, and the top five entrepreneurs were selected for the final round, where they pitched in front of all six judges.

While the pitch-off offered a chance to win prizes, it also emphasized the growth journey, preparing entrepreneurs for future opportunities. Through the competition, participants built valuable connections with judges, fellow entrepreneurs, and other industry professionals, fostering partnerships that could help propel their businesses forward.

The 2024 Main Street Pitch-Off Winners

We’re thrilled to announce this year’s winners, each of whom brought creativity, passion, and a mission to create positive change in their communities. Discover more about their businesses by visiting their websites:

• 1st Place: Tonya Williams, Sister Helping Seniors

Sister Helping Seniors offers compassionate, comprehensive care coordination and advocacy for elderly clients, supporting their independence with personalized plans, medical coordination, and in-home support. Tonya and her team are creating a pathway for seniors to age gracefully with dignity and care.

• 2nd Place: Makeba Green, International Girls Academy

The International Girls Academy is on a mission to uplift and empower young girls through the principles of the Nguzo Saba. With a strong belief that girls can create their own opportunities, Makeba inspires a generation to build their futures with confidence and independence.

• 3rd Place: Iyana Anderson, Well Together

Well Together provides crucial mental health education and awareness to communities and workplaces. Through workshops, training, and events, Iyana is dismantling stigma and fostering mental wellness, making a positive difference in every community she touches.

Meet the Judges

The judging panel, made up of seasoned professionals from various fields, played an integral role in evaluating pitches and offering invaluable feedback. Their expertise spanned corporate social responsibility, global operations technology, financial services, and business development. The esteemed panel included:

• Ken Bland – Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Prudential Financial 
• Gustavo Abreu– Global Head of Securities Operations Technology, Barclays 
• Fabian Benalcazar – Senior Underwriter, GNEC
• Nourin Abubakar – COO & Co-founder, Makani Homes 
• Michelle Montgomery – Area Director, Citi 
• Onel Villares– Business Development Director

Beyond the Pitch-Off: Building Future Success

The GNEC Main Street Pitch-Off is more than a competition; it’s an empowering program that propels entrepreneurs toward sustainable growth. The event allows participants to gain invaluable exposure, build relationships with influential industry leaders, and receive critical feedback for refining their business pitches.

GNEC extends heartfelt congratulations to all participants and winners, who showcased their resilience, innovation, and dedication. These entrepreneurs are not only winners today but future leaders who will continue to impact our communities in meaningful ways. We look forward to seeing where their entrepreneurial journeys take them next!

Stay tuned for future updates from GNEC and the exciting plans we have in store to foster entrepreneurship in our community.