APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN IN MAY
Your Story. Your Stage. Your Impact.
The Powerplay Pitch Competition is your moment to step into the spotlight, share your story and show the world the impact your business is making. Designed exclusively for our Certified Women Owned Business Enterprises (WBEs), Powerplay Pitch is your chance to make it all the way to the WBENCPitch National Competition.
This year's competition will culminate with live in person pitch finals in BOTH New York City and Washington, D.C.
| Application Round | Tell us YOUR impact. Submit a 60 second pitch video to apply. The best part? You can record, refine, and record again until it feels just right. |
| Round 1 | Round 1 is where your story comes to life. Selected applicants will deliver a live, in-person 60 second pitch with Q&A. This is your opportunity to connect face-to-face with an engaged audience and a panel of judges who are rooting for your success. |
Our FIRST Pitch Academy
Know Your Voice: Establishing Your Executive Presence
Created and led by Jen Litwin, Speeko’s Managing Director, Coaching and Strategic Partnerships, expert public speaking coach blending her dual careers as an opera singer and a Wall Street and tech executive, you’ll gain the tools to gives you the tools to speak with confidence, clarity, and credibility in any environment.
Jen Litwin
Jen Litwin leads Speeko’s premium live coaching business and enterprise partnerships. She brings deep expertise in executive presence, vocal mastery, relationship building, and career development, empowering individuals and teams to unlock their voices andshow up with confidence, authenticity, and power.
Jen's diverse background spans over three decades in high-stakes finance, tech sales, classical music performance, and dynamic live facilitation. Prior to Speeko, Jen served as Vice President, Head of Sales & Client Experience at The Forem, Senior Vice President and Head of Relationship Management at Greenwich Associates (now Crisil Coalition Greenwich), and she was a senior sales trader at UBS Investment Bank. She began her corporate career in back office operations at AIG Financial Products Corp
Why Participate?
- Compete for a National Spot: Winners of the Powerplay Pitch Competition will move on the WBENCPitch National rounds, where you’ll compete with WBEs across the nation for a grand cash prize to fuel your next stage of growth.
- Gain Powerful Visibility: Get in front of an expansive network of women business owners, advocates, and industry leaders who are invested in your success.
- Sharpen a Skill Every Business Owner Needs: Pitching is one of the most essential tools in your business toolkit, and this competition gives you a real, highenergy environment within your own network to own it with confidence.
- Invest in Your Growth: Walk away with more than competitions experience. Leave with sharpened skills, meaningful connections, and the momentum to take your business further.
Want to be a finalist in this year’s competition?
- Complete the Application
Submit your pitch application based on the region where your business is headquartered, either Metro NY or Greater DMV. - Submit a Video Pitch
Upload a one-minute video pitch answering the question:
“What IMPACT does your business make?”
Focus on delivering your story creatively and compellingly.
Metro NY and Greater DMV corporate partners will review and score all submissions. From each region, the top 10 pitches will be selected to compete live and in person in September!
Applications will launch in May. Keep an eye on our socials and newsletters to learn more.
After the Powerplay Pitch Competition:
The journey doesn’t stop at the regional level!
The top four finalists from each regional competition will advance to the WBENCPitch National live virtual Semi-Final competition, where they’ll go head-to-head with WBEs from across the national network. Make it through to the National Finals and you’ll have the chance to pitch for a grand prize of $25,000.
Bring your best pitch, your boldest vision, and your most compelling impact story.
2026 PITCH ACADEMY
Every business owner pitches, whether they realize it or not. Every time you introduce yourself at a networking event, meet a potential client, or walk into a room of unknown opportunity, you’re pitching your business and yourself. The question is: are you doing it in a way that leaves a lasting impression?
The Pitch Academy is designed to make sure the answer is always YES. Whether you’re competing in Powerplay Pitch Competition or simply looking to sharpen your skills, our year-round Pitch Academy is built for you.
This is for our WBEs who want to be the kind of business owner who can walk into any space, at any moment, and make people stop and listen. When you can tell your story through content, delivery, and presence, the opportunities are limitless.
Catch the 2024 replay!
Catch the replay of our 2024 WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV Local Regional Pitch Competition.
Curious about Pitch?
Learn from past Pitch finalists as they discuss strategies, tips, and practices to help you put your best self forward.
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Collaborative partnership between Capital One and WBEC Greater DMV and Metro NY.
One Page Business Plan
WBEs create a roadmap for growth and profit with the One Page Business Plan.