Our 2025/2026 event series "Pitch Ready" is an extension of the 2024/2025 vision to venture series, in which entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel that selects one individual or team to receive a monetary award. Other non-monetary awards, such as legal advice, business coaching, and financial counseling, will also be awarded.

The primary purpose of this event is to educate for-profit entrepreneurs on the pitch process in a formal but safe and nurturing environment. To accomplish this, we will host mentoring sessions leading up to the pitch day. In these sessions, we will explore the key components of a pitch and coach participants in how to create a winning pitch. We are targeting up to 15 participants and will offer a cash award for the overall winning pitch, along with professional services awards for winners across various categories. 

Our goal is for all participants to feel supported, inspired, and encouraged throughout the event series and beyond. The mentoring sessions and pitch event are only the beginning. With meaningful awards, we aim to create a lasting impact and change the trajectory of recipients’ journeys. A cash award will recognize the overall best idea, while runner-ups in various categories will receive year-long counseling in key areas, including coaching, legal, accounting, and financial services. Through these supports, we are committed to ensuring momentum continues long after the event concludes. 

To ensure participants have ample time to present their pitches to the judges on the final Pitch Day event, we must limit participants to 15. To apply, use the link provided to complete the application. 
The 4 mentoring sessions will begin on 3/25/2026 and occur every 2 weeks, leading up to the Pitch Day event on 5/13/2025.

The events and dates for this event series are listed below:

1. Mentoring Session and Kick Off: 3/25/2026, 5:30PM - 7:30PM
2. Mentoring Session 2: 4/8/2026, 5:30PM - 7:30PM
3. Mentoring Session 3: 4/22/2026, 5:30PM - 7:30PM
4. Mentoring Session 4: 5/5/2026, 5:30PM - 7:30PM
5. Pitch Day Event: 5/13/2026, 9:00AM - 5:00PM (you do not need to attend the entire day, we will give you your pitch time prior to the event)

If you are accepted into the Event Series, there will be a $150 Participation Fee that you will be prompted to pay upon receiving your acceptance into the program.

Applications for this event are CLOSED!

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Thank you to our Event Sponsors!

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Pitch Ready Program Speaker 

Robin McDougal
Founder, Chair, and CEO, eGlam, Inc.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-mcdougal-7406a51/

Chief Exploration Officer, Interstellar Dreams
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-mcdougal-817067178/

Your WIT WBO Committee Leadership Team

Kara Dickey
Co-Founder and CEO, SmartCom Solutions, Inc., and Chair, Women Business Owners Committee

For over two decades, Kara has helped SmartCom Solutions’ clients gain a competitive advantage through technical innovations and reduce costs through efficiencies and modernization. Kara brings a breadth and depth of experience in employing automation to solve organizations’ mission critical business needs. These efforts typically required full-scale business process reengineering, as well as custom application development. Kara has extensive experience managing and participating in all phases of the system development lifecycle. Kara has diverse application and industry experience including Mortgage Origination, Mortgage Services, Mortgage Securitization, Mutual Fund Processing, Financial Management and Accounting, Supply Chain Management, and Claims Processing. In her capacity as Chief Executive Officer, Kara is also responsible for setting the direction of the company, business development, marketing, and obtaining/managing resources. Kara holds a B.S. in Decision Sciences (computer science concentration) from George University and an MBA (finance concentration) from Marymount University.

Robin McDougal
Founder, Chair, and CEO, eGlam, Inc., and Vice Chair, Women Business Owners Committee

Robin McDougal, Founder and Board Chair of e-GLAM, Inc., a women-owned, American-based company pioneering sustainable Micro-manufacturing of wearable and mobile technology carry cases. Launched in 2010, Robin has led a Micro Manufacturing Initiative that unites commercial aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development to accelerate innovation across the Virginia region. Through e-GLAM’s Micro Manufacturing collaborations, partnerships, and services, she is expanding access to affordable, U.S.-based production for small businesses while creating high-quality local jobs and building resilient Virginia region manufacturing ecosystems.

 

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