Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! This year’s Minority Women Lead event will be in Long Beach, CA for another in-person, live pitch competition!
Applications will be accepted starting May 24, 2023, until June 18, 2023, by 11:59 p.m. PST or until 200 eligible applications are received. Applications are not judged on a first-come, first-served basis.
Click the application button on our homepage (or here) to be taken to Submittable.com (where the application will be). You will need to create an account on Submittable.com to apply.
The application may take you between 10-20 minutes to complete.
In addition to providing information about your business, we will request headshots, photos of your business/logo/storefront, and a one-minute video pitch.
Signing up for Submittable allows you to apply for the Minority Women Lead pitch competition. This will also allow you to save and come back to your application later. We will not be accepting applications via email or anywhere else.
Please email info@nationalace.org for assistance with Submittable and use the subject header: “Submittable Question – Minority Women Lead.”
This is your time to shine! Use the video portion of the application to show your truest self and why your pitch is worth taking to the final competition.
While we don’t require you to hire a videographer or other professional for your video; good lighting and audio are essential to having a stand-out video. Make sure you are filming in a quiet space with plenty of even, natural lighting and that you are speaking clearly.
We will accept videos taken from a camera, webcam, phone, or whatever else you have with video recording capabilities. No editing is required but is appreciated.
Business applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Is at least 51% owned and operated by someone who identifies as Female AND identifies as Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and/or a Person of Color
- Is independently owned and operated; not a franchise location
- Is a for-profit organization that is registered to conduct business in the United States
- Is a legal resident of the 50 United States or D.C. (Void in Puerto Rico, Guam, and where prohibited by law)
- Has been operating for one or more years
- Has reached the minimum age of 18 years old or older
- Must be able to travel to Long Beach, CA for the pitch event
(Exceptions for travel will be made on a case-by-case basis.)
The applications are open to those eligible as listed above. Our panel of judges will be looking for individuals with innovative solutions that have the potential to impact their communities and display social responsibility positively.
Selected applicants will be notified starting in July.
The top five (5) finalists will move on to the live pitch competition in Long Beach, CA on August 24, 2023.
Our panel of judges will select three (3) winners to win cash prizes up to $10,000.
You will be notified at the contact information you provided on your application that you have been selected. Selected applicants will then be scheduled for a complimentary one-hour session with a speaking coach to help guide you through your live pitch. The top five (5) finalists will be asked to join us in Long Beach, CA to present their live pitch live on stage in front of our panel of judges.
Round-trip vouchers from Southwest Airlines will be provided to finalists. Finalists are then responsible for their own transportation, meals, lodging, etc.
Finalists must be able to travel for the live pitch competition on August 24.
Of course! All applicants within the United States (with the exception of Puerto Rico, Guam, and where prohibited by law) are welcome to apply.
The annual Minority Women Lead event was created for women of color in business, entrepreneurship, leadership, and more to celebrate their achievements. People from all walks of life are welcome to attend the event and honor women in business. VIPs and elected officials may also be invited to the event. Media will also be invited.
Ticket holders will be welcomed to a networking and cocktail hour with drinks and appetizers for the first hour of the event. Following the cocktail hour, guests will hear inspiring remarks from innovative and entrepreneurial women of color. Finally, the top five (5) finalists will be able to present their live pitches live to a panel of prestigious judges. Winners will be announced at the event.
The health & safety of our community is of the utmost importance to us. We are closely monitoring local safety guidelines and will make appropriate changes as necessary. All updates will be communicated to our ticket holders.
Thank you for your interest! Please contact Amy Hunter at [email protected].