Logo for NACEE's Everyday Entrepreneur Program
Miami Valley SBDC

The Everyday Entrepreneur
Pitch Competition

Pitch for Funding. Grow Your Business. Impact Your Community.

🏆 $5,000 Grand Prize for the Winning Pitch

📅 Tuesday, June 2, 2026
📍 Entrepreneurs’ Center — 31 S. Main Street, Dayton, OH 45402

Apply Now Applications close Friday, April 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Jun 2 Pitch Day
Apr 17 Application Deadline
$5,000 Top Prize
100 pts Judging Scale
Free SBDC Advising

Do you have a clear vision for your business but need the capital to take the next leap? The Everyday Entrepreneur Pitch Competition provides small business owners in our service area with the opportunity to compete for a $5,000 grand prize, professional mentorship, and a clear path to accelerated growth.

Eligibility

Are You Eligible?

We are looking for operational, for-profit small businesses ready to scale. To apply, you must meet all of the following criteria:

  • 📍
    Location: Business must be located in one of our supported counties — Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, or Shelby — (proof of residency/location required).
  • ✅
    Status: Must be an operational, for-profit small business in good standing as of May 1, 2026.
  • 🤝
    SBDC Partnership: You must be an active MVSBDC client — or agree to become one — by the time finalists are selected.
  • 📆
    Commitment: Must have a dedicated owner/operator available to attend all required workshops and the live pitch event.
Please Note: Pre-revenue ideas without legal formation, cannabis-based businesses, and businesses with active bankruptcies or tax liens are not eligible to compete.
The Program

The Path to the Pitch

This is more than a competition — it’s a growth program. Finalists will complete an “SBDC-first” readiness track to ensure their business model is airtight before taking the stage.

  • 1

    Mandatory Workshops

    Two focused sessions to sharpen your business model and pitch delivery:

    April 23 — Business Model Canvas & The One-Page Plan  |  Register Here →
    May 7 — How to Pitch to Win  |  Register Here →
  • 2

    Professional Review

    Complete at least one 1-on-1 SBDC advising session for a business plan critique by May 29. Our advisors will help you sharpen your model and strengthen your pitch before competition day.

  • 3

    The Use-of-Funds Plan

    Submit a detailed plan explaining exactly how prize money will accelerate your revenue, capacity, or market reach. Judges want to see that you’ve thought it through.

Judging Criteria

What the Judges Are Looking For

Applicants and finalists are evaluated on a 100-point scale across six core areas. Download the full scoring rubric to see exactly how each category is assessed.

💡 Viability & Clarity 20 pts

Is your business model easy to understand and financially sustainable?

📊 Market Opportunity 15 pts

Do you know your customer — and how you stand apart from the competition?

📈 Traction 15 pts

Can you show proof of sales, partnerships, or demonstrated customer growth?

🧾 Financial Awareness 10 pts

Do you know your price, cost of goods, and target margin — the math behind your business?

💰 Use of Funds 25 pts

Is your funding request tied to a specific growth milestone — not just “keeping the lights on”?

🎯 Execution & Coachability 15 pts

Did you meet deadlines, submit a thorough application, and incorporate advisor feedback?

Responsible Funding

Funding Rules

We believe in Responsible Funding. Awarded funds are disbursed via ACH and must be used for growth-oriented business expenses — not personal ones.

Allowable Uses Prohibited Uses
Revenue-generating equipment & tools Personal expenses or owner draws
Inventory for projected sales Paying off old debt or credit cards
Marketing campaigns & web development Real estate down payments
Professional services (bookkeeping, legal, etc.) Speculative investments (crypto, stocks)
Software essential to operations Anything illegal or non-operational
Key Dates

Important Dates

  • Apr 3
    Applications Open
  • Apr 17
    Application Deadline — 5:00 PMDon’t miss this cutoff.
  • Apr 23
    Finalists NotifiedSelected applicants are contacted and begin the readiness track.
  • May 4–15
    Required SBDC Advising SessionsOne-on-one business plan critiques with SBDC advisors.
  • May 28
    Mandatory Tech Check & RehearsalFinal run-through and logistics confirmation before competition day.
  • Jun 2
    🎤 Pitch DayTake the stage and make your case.

Ready to Grow?

Don’t miss your chance to win $5,000 and secure the mentorship your business deserves.

Start Your Application Today Applications close Friday, April 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Program is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBDC program is also funded in part by the Ohio Development Services Agency. All services are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals. Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the Miami Valley SBDC at 937-210-9460.

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