53 Ideas Pitch Competition

Applications for the 53 Ideas Pitch Competition open on May 5, 2024.

Anyone in the 10 counties surrounding Charlotte can submit an idea to the competition for a chance to win $10,000 in funding for their business idea.

• Ideas in the form of a 53-second video can be submitted online May 5 thru May 31, 2024.
• Entry is limited to residents in the following NC counties: Anson, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union.
• The 53 finalists will be announced in early June 2024.
• Mid-June finalists participate in online training sessions to help prepare for the next round.
• The 53 finalists pitch the week of July 7, 2024 (on July 8, 9, or 10) for a chance to place as a top semi-finalists.
• The top ten semi-finalists will be announced on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Watch our social channels for the reveal.
• The top ten compete for first, second and third place at Virtual Pitch Day which will be broadcast to a public audience.

Last year’s 53 Ideas Pitch Competition winner was Tequia Williams, founder of Jexsii and graduate of the Spring 2023 Retail Lab! Tequia won $10,000 to fund her business idea, Jagid by Jexsii, a tight curl detangling brush with over 10 different features and built-in options, enabling customization to the specific tight curl needs. Click here to learn more about Tequia’s entrepreneurial journey and her determination to win the 53 Ideas Pitch Competition in 2023!

» For more information about 53 Ideas and how to participate, visit: 53ideas.com