YElevate - Small Business Pitch Competition

Pitch Winners

In partnership with TJX Foundation Inc., YWCA USA, and supporters like you, YWCA Delaware and associations across the country hosted Pitch Competitions to support local entrepreneurs! This Pitch competition allowed entrepreneurs from across Delaware a chance to compete for funding to support their growing businesses.

  • Ashlee Cooper, MLS (ASCP)

    Founder, Droneversity
    First Place Winner

    Droneversity teaches drone technology for workforce development, to expand access to careers, and address the global labor shortage. Droneversity’s students have a 100% pass rate for the FAA Part 107 exam. Learn more

  • Adrieane Jackson

    Balloon Artist and Owner, Precious Jubilee Artwork and Party Decor
    Second Place Winner

    Previous Decor is a party entertainmment service company based in Delaware that creates and delivers custom celebratory displays. Learn more

  • Aneisha Byrd

    Owner, Cakes by Aneisha
    Third Place Winner

    Cakes by Aneisha is a renowned scratch-only bakery in New Castle, serving since 2021. Renowned as the top-rated bakery in the area, we specialize in crafting mouthwatering custom cakes, birthday cakes, and desserts that not only look fantastic but also taste delicious. Drawing inspiration from iconic southern desserts, Aneisha’s dessert menu pays tribute to classic comfort food. Learn more

YElevate Small Business Pitch Competition
powered by TJX Foundation, Inc.

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
CSC Station
112 S. French Street, Wilmington, DE

Meet the Finalists

Adrieane Jackson @preciousjubileedecor
Aneisha Byrd @cakesbyaneisha
Ashlee Cooper @droneversity
Dominic Spitz @flavordishde
Janiene Campbell @purposeinpainllc

YWCA Delaware has partnered with the TJX Foundation, Inc. and YWCA USA to host YElevate, a small business pitch competition open to all entrepreneurs with an incorporated, established company. Preference will be given to YWCA program participants and historically underserved founders. We strongly encourage women and BIPOC entrepreneurs to apply! The deadline to apply is March 9th, 11:59:59 p.m. 

Chosen finalists will be announced on March 25th and will have the opportunity to pitch their business IN PERSON to a panel of judges through an invitation to the YElevate Pitch Competition sponsored by TJX Foundation, Inc. in Wilmington on April 25 with the opportunity to compete for $18,500 in prizes (First Place: $7,500, Second Place: $6,000, Third Place: $5,000). By participating in this competition, selected finalists will also gain exclusive access to valuable resources and guidance to help them through the competition process. *Application deadline is March 9th, 11:59:59 p.m.

Thank you to our Sponsor:

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Meet the Judges

  • Renata Beata Kowalczyk, MBA, MS - CEO of Wilmington Alliance

    Renata Beata Kowalczyk leads a team of dedicated professionals who work to create a more inclusive, innovative, and prosperous city for all residents and businesses. With over 20 years of experience in economic development, public policy, and social impact, she has a passion for building equitable economic ecosystems that foster opportunity, collaboration, and sustainability.

    In her current role, she leverages her skills in executive management, strategic leadership, and thought leadership to oversee and implement the organization's vision, mission, and goals. She also partners with various stakeholders, such as government agencies, community organizations, private sector partners, and academic institutions, to design and deliver programs and initiatives that address the needs and challenges of the city's diverse and dynamic population. Some of the key areas of focus include workforce development, entrepreneurship, innovation, placemaking, and civic engagement.

  • Sara Crawford, Experience Architect, at Sara A. Crawford LLC

    Sara A. Crawford, Experience Architect, at Sara A. Crawford LLC provides mindset, education, brand awareness and growth solutions to entrepreneurs, organizations, and creatives. In addition to business services, she transforms brands into powerful cultural movements through her Blondie Mansion initiative where she fuses music, business, and art into experiences. It’s Sara’s desire and intention that Blondie Mansion will aid Sara A. Crawford, LLC in creating extreme impact and maintain an ecosystem for the creative and entrepreneurial community.

    Under Sara’s leadership as Director at the Women’s Business Center at True Access Capital she secured over $10M in loan capital, creating opportunities for economic development with over 4,000 jobs created. She has curated and hosted over 4,000 business-related trainings, programs, and events, including the innovative Holiday Crawl, an online QVC-style concept of shopping and promoting small businesses. And the H.E.R. (Helping Entrepreneur Rise) business plan competition created in partnership with Citizen’s bank. The Competition is a way for an existing or startup businesses to receive and win money up to $10,000 for their business.

  • Jose Henao, Sr. AvP PNC Branch Manager and Small Business Specialist

    Jose Henao is a seasoned Small Business Specialist and Senior AVP Branch Manager at PNC Bank in Newark, Delaware. With a steadfast commitment to promoting sound financial decisions, Jose brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to his role. Through his leadership, he empowers individuals and businesses alike to navigate the complex world of finance with confidence and clarity. Jose's passion for helping others achieve their financial goals shines through in every interaction, making him a trusted advisor and asset to the community.

FAQs ↘

  • A pitch competition is a contest where entrepreneurs present their business (service/product) to a panel of judges in hopes of winning capital (funds) to support their business. Companies are judged on clarity, market opportunity, and traction to date.  

  • Thursday, April 25, 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. EST.  at CSC Station112 S. French StreetWilmington, DEWimington, DE 19801.

  • All are welcome to apply. Preference will be given to YWCA Delaware program participants and historically underserved founders.

  • Your application will go under review, and if you have been selected to advance to the final round, you will be notified on March 25, 2024. If selected, you will participate in the in the pitch competition on  April 25, 6:00 – 8:00 pm EDT.   

  • Up to 7 finalists will be chosen.  April 25, 6:00 – 8:00 pm EDT. , finalists will present to a panel of judges.   

  • No. All businesses will need to be incorporated and have an EIN.   

  • No. Only businesses that are incorporated may apply.  

  • Yes  

  • No. We are accepting applications from the surrounding area including; South Jersey, Philadelphia, and Cecil County Maryland. 

  • $18,500 in cash prizes.  

  • We are seeking growth businesses, 1-5 years old, with the potential for success.   

  • You can via the link in the invitation email. Email Amber Perry, YWCA Delaware Project & Events Manager at aperry@ywcade.org to request an application. The application submission deadline is March 9th, 11:59:59 p.m.

  • Yes, the application is also available in Spanish.    

  • No. You just need to use the link in Amber Perry’s invitation email. 

  • No, the application is 100 percent FREE.    

  • The application closes March 9, 2024, 11:59 PM ET. No applications will be accepted after this time.   

  • All candidates must be at least 18 years of age.    

  • The application asks about:   

    General company information, such as years in business, locations, etc.  

    Company business strategies  

    Team size  

    Company metrics  

    Business needs  

  • Applications will be graded based on a rubric that will focus on:  

    The business offering a defined competitive advantage  

    The business goals being attainable and clearly defined  

    The team having a proven track record or relevant sector experience  

    The business model being scalable and sustainable 

    Preference will be given to YWCA program participants and historically underserved founders.   

  • We expect to notify finalists by March 25, 2024.   

  • Upon selection, finalists will be notified and will have a limited time period to confirm attendance. Once confirmed, finalists will receive pitch prep materials, a pre-prep session, and the event run of show.    

  • The selected finalists will receive resources to help build their pitch prior to the competition.   

  • Finalists will receive a pitch prep session and pitch resources before the pitch competition.   

  • You will have 5 minutes to make your pitch. There will be an additional 5 minutes of Q&A.  

  • Each participant will have the option to submit up to four slides max.  

    The four slides can only include: 

    Title slide with name of business & founder 

    Overview of business 

    Overview of team 

    Overview of traction