KeyBank's Key4Women, Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO), and the Portland Thorns FC Announce Second Annual Women-Owned Business Pitch Contest Finalists
KeyBank's Key4Women program, Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO), and the Portland Thorns FC have announced 10 finalists for their second annual women-owned business pitch contest in Oregon and SW Washington. The finalists, selected from 86 applicants, will compete for $50,000 in cash awards, with the grand prize winner receiving $20,000. The contest aims to support and empower women entrepreneurs, recognizing their impact on the economy and community.
Finalists will present a 4-minute pitch and answer questions on October 10th at Providence Park in Portland. The event will be livestreamed by the Thorns. To be eligible, businesses must be at least 51% owned and controlled by women, headquartered in specific Oregon or Washington counties, and have annual sales under $3 million. MESO is providing application support, mentorship, and workshops to help finalists prepare their pitches.
Il programma Key4Women di KeyBank, i Servizi per Microimprese dell'Oregon (MESO) e il Portland Thorns FC hanno annunciato 10 finaliste per il loro secondo concorso annuale di pitch per imprese femminili in Oregon e nel sud-ovest dello Stato di Washington. Le finaliste, selezionate tra 86 candidati, si sfideranno per 50.000 dollari in premi in contanti, con la vincitrice del gran premio che riceverà 20.000 dollari. Il concorso mira a supportare e valorizzare le imprenditrici, riconoscendo il loro impatto sull'economia e sulla comunità.
Le finaliste presenteranno un pitch di 4 minuti e risponderanno a domande il 10 ottobre al Providence Park di Portland. L'evento sarà trasmesso in diretta dai Thorns. Per essere ammissibili, le imprese devono essere possedute e controllate almeno al 51% da donne, avere sede in specifiche contee dell'Oregon o del Washington, e registrare vendite annuali inferiori a 3 milioni di dollari. MESO offre supporto per le domande, mentorship e workshop per aiutare le finaliste a preparare i loro pitch.
El programa Key4Women de KeyBank, los Servicios de Microempresas de Oregón (MESO) y el Portland Thorns FC han anunciado 10 finalistas para su segundo concurso anual de pitches de negocios propiedad de mujeres en Oregón y el suroeste de Washington. Las finalistas, seleccionadas entre 86 solicitantes, competirán por 50,000 dólares en premios en efectivo, siendo la ganadora del gran premio la que reciba 20,000 dólares. El concurso tiene como objetivo apoyar y empoderar a las emprendedoras, reconociendo su impacto en la economía y la comunidad.
Las finalistas presentarán un pitch de 4 minutos y responderán preguntas el 10 de octubre en el Providence Park de Portland. El evento será transmitido en vivo por los Thorns. Para ser elegibles, las empresas deben ser al menos 51% propiedad y controladas por mujeres, tener sede en condados específicos de Oregón o Washington, y tener ventas anuales inferiores a 3 millones de dólares. MESO ofrece apoyo en la solicitud, mentoría y talleres para ayudar a las finalistas a preparar sus pitches.
KeyBank의 Key4Women 프로그램, 오리건의 마이크로 기업 서비스(MESO) 및 포틀랜드 쏜스 FC는 오리건과 남서부 워싱턴에서 여성 소유 기업 피치 콘테스트의 두 번째 연례 대회 10명의 결선 진출자를 발표했습니다. 86명의 지원자 중 선정된 결선 진출자들은 50,000달러의 현금 상금을 놓고 경쟁하며, 큰 상의 수상자는 20,000달러를 받게 됩니다. 이 대회는 여성 기업가를 지원하고 힘을 실어주는 것을 목표로 하며, 그들의 경제와 지역 사회에 대한 영향을 인식합니다.
결선 진출자들은 10월 10일 포틀랜드의 프로비던스 파크에서 4분간의 피치를 발표하고 질문에 답변합니다. 이 행사는 쏜스에 의해 실시간 방송됩니다. 자격 요건으로는 기업이 여성 소유 및 관리 보유 비율이 최소 51% 이상이어야 하며, 오리건 또는 워싱턴의 특정 카운티에 본사를 두고 연간 매출이 300만 달러 미만이어야 합니다. MESO는 결선 진출자들이 피치를 준비할 수 있도록 신청 지원, 멘토링 및 워크숍을 제공합니다.
Le programme Key4Women de KeyBank, les Services de Microentreprises de l'Oregon (MESO) et le Portland Thorns FC ont annoncé 10 finalistes pour leur deuxième concours annuel de pitch d'entreprises détenues par des femmes en Oregon et dans le sud-ouest de Washington. Les finalistes, sélectionnées parmi 86 candidates, concourront pour 50 000 dollars en prix en espèces, la gagnante du grand prix recevant 20 000 dollars. Le concours vise à soutenir et à autonomiser les entrepreneuses, en reconnaissant leur impact sur l'économie et la communauté.
Les finalistes présenteront un pitch de 4 minutes et répondront à des questions le 10 octobre au Providence Park de Portland. L'événement sera diffusé en direct par les Thorns. Pour être éligibles, les entreprises doivent être possédées et contrôlées à au moins 51 % par des femmes, avoir leur siège social dans des comtés spécifiques de l'Oregon ou de Washington, et avoir des ventes annuelles inférieures à 3 millions de dollars. MESO offre un soutien pour les candidatures, du mentorat et des ateliers pour aider les finalistes à préparer leurs pitches.
Das Key4Women-Programm von KeyBank, die Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) und der Portland Thorns FC haben 10 Finalistinnen für ihren zweiten jährlichen Pitch-Wettbewerb für frauenbesitzende Unternehmen in Oregon und dem Südwesten von Washington angekündigt. Die Finalistinnen, die aus 86 Bewerberinnen ausgewählt wurden, werden um 50.000 Dollar in Barpreisen konkurrieren, wobei die Gewinnerin des Hauptpreises 20.000 Dollar erhält. Der Wettbewerb zielt darauf ab, Unternehmerinnen zu unterstützen und zu stärken, indem er ihren Einfluss auf die Wirtschaft und die Gemeinschaft anerkennt.
Die Finalistinnen werden am 10. Oktober im Providence Park in Portland einen 4-minütigen Pitch halten und Fragen beantworten. Die Veranstaltung wird von den Thorns live übertragen. Um teilnahmeberechtigt zu sein, müssen die Unternehmen mindestens zu 51% in Frauenbesitz und -kontrolle sein, ihren Sitz in bestimmten Bezirken von Oregon oder Washington haben und einen Jahresumsatz von unter 3 Millionen Dollar erzielen. MESO bietet Bewerbungsunterstützung, Mentoring und Workshops an, um den Finalistinnen bei der Vorbereitung ihrer Pitches zu helfen.
- KeyBank's Key4Women program has generated over $12 billion in loans to women-owned businesses since 2005
- The pitch contest offers $50,000 in total cash awards, with a $20,000 grand prize
- The event provides visibility and support for women-owned businesses in Oregon and SW Washington
- MESO offers mentorship and workshops to help finalists prepare their pitches
- None.
10 Oregon and SW Washington start-up and existing women-owned businesses will compete for
PORTLAND, OR / ACCESSWIRE / August 7, 2024 / KeyBank's Key4Women program, Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO), and the Portland Thorns FC today announced 10 finalists have been selected to compete in a business pitch contest for women-owned businesses located in Oregon and SW Washington.
Selected from a pool of 86 applicants and judged by a panel of qualified representatives, the finalists will compete for cash awards totaling
Finalists include:
"We couldn't be more thrilled to announce our ten finalists today," said Josh Lyons, KeyBank Oregon and SW Washington market president. "Women-owned businesses are making real, lasting impact on our economy and community every day, that is why we are excited to support their efforts. This is more than a contest to us; it is personal and we are proud of each of our selected finalists and everyone who applied."
"At MESO, we are tireless advocates of women entrepreneurs and the power they possess to transform and elevate the small business landscape," said MESO Executive Director and CEO Cobi Lewis. "We are excited to be part of an event that will provide a chance for others to experience and support the same passion, innovation and determination that we witness every day."
"The Portland Thorns are honored to be a part of an innovative program centered in bolstering women's entrepreneurship," said Alexis Lee, Portland Thorns president of business operations. "Women owned businesses can generate the impact we aspire to see, financially uplifting our community, while establishing inclusive spaces, and creating a diverse and vibrant culture. Congratulations to the finalists, we wish you the best."
MESO provided application support and mentorship to women-owned businesses throughout the application process. They will also provide workshops and mentoring to the finalists to help them prepare their pitches.
To be eligible, a business must be fifty-one percent (
The finalists will present a 4-minute pitch and field questions for 6 minutes on October 10th at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon. The event will also be livestreamed by the Thorns. To learn more visit https://www.mesopdx.org/key4women.
Final awards will be chosen by a panel of judges used to determine winners include the quality of the presentation, clarity of business vision and mission, economic impact of the idea and the soundness of value proposition.
ABOUT MESO
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) elevates and empowers under-resourced and excluded entrepreneurs to build resilience, equity, and thriving communities through access to capital, tailored business assistance, and education. Founded in 2005 to assist Black-owned small businesses that were experiencing challenges in the wake of gentrification in North and Northeast Portland, the nonprofit now serves more than 500 entrepreneurs and small businesses in Oregon and Southwest Washington each year. MESO is a designated SBA microlender, an IDA fiduciary, and a Certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).
ABOUT PORTLAND THORNS FC
Founded in 2012, Portland Thorns FC have set the standard for fan support and on-field success in women's soccer since its inaugural 2013 season. One of the world's most supported women's soccer clubs, Portland has led the league in attendance for eight seasons and set a new club playoff attendance record last year with 25,218 fans supporting Thorns FC in the 2023 semifinal match at Providence Park. Thorns FC have won the NWSL Championship a league-record three times (2013, 2017, 2022) and finished as runners-up in 2018. The club has made the postseason a league-high nine times and has won the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021.
In January of 2024 the Club was purchased by the Bhathal Family of RAJ Sport, with Lisa Bhathal Merage serving as Governor and Alex Bhathal as Alternate Governor, with Marta Bhathal and Raj Bhathal rounding out the family-led ownership group. The Bhathal family is also Principal Co-Owners of the NBA's Sacramento Kings, which was recently named NBA Team of the Year in large part due to the team's positive impact on the local Sacramento community. The Kings parent organization also owns the Sacramento RiverCats AAA baseball club, Stockton Kings NBA-G League club, and Kings Guard NBA 2K esports team.
ABOUT KEYCORP
KeyCorp's roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately
ABOUT KEY4WOMEN
Key4Women started in 2005 as a campaign to lend
View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3blmedia.com.
Contact Info:
Spokesperson: KeyBank
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank
Email: info@3blmedia.com
SOURCE: KeyBank
View the original press release on accesswire.com
FAQ
What is the total prize money for KeyBank's women-owned business pitch contest in 2024?
How many finalists were selected for the KeyBank Key4Women pitch contest?
When and where will the KeyBank Key4Women pitch contest finals take place?
What are the eligibility requirements for the KeyBank Key4Women pitch contest?
