iNClusive Innovation STEM Pitch Summit

The Goal
Minorities are nearly 40 times less likely to receive angel and/or "family & friends" funding for their business than their majority counterparts. According to ProjectDiane 2018, less than 40 black women have ever raised over 1 million dollars in startup funds. Things have improved within the last five years however there is still a need to provide an inclusive entrepreneurship by ecosystem that levels the playing field.

The first annual iNClusive STEM Innovation Pitch Event will provide an opportunity for 20 select innovators to pitch their upcoming projects to a room of venture capitalists, angel fund investors, and experienced entrepreneurs. An award accompanied by a significant monetary prize will be given. In addition, feedback on your pitch presentation, consultation time with legal experts, and networking opportunities.

Who Should Apply
Our event is aimed at creating space for underrepresented minorities in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) entrepreneurship space. This will be an equitable and exclusive entrepreneurial Pitch Event for STEM Innovators from under-represented and disadvantaged backgrounds.

Underrepresented groups in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the United States, where there is a well-documented underrepresentation in science and engineering education of three racial and ethnic groups - blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians or Alaska Natives, as defined by the National Science Foundation.

Benefits to presenters:

• Feedback on pitch presentation
• Access to legal experts
• Exposure to national VCs and angel fund investors
• Prize Awards
•  Light breakfast and lunch provided. Hors-d'oeuvres reception to follow.

The Process:

Complete the Pitch Competition registration and application (select "Pitch Presenter" at registration and answer questions on follow-up page).

Come prepared: Four applicants from each category will be selected to pitch during the main sessions. However, everyone will be able to participant in panels and roundtable sessions with our legal experts, business coaches, experienced entrepreneurs, and investors.

The winning team(s) will be announced on October 11th at the Inclusive Innovation STEM Pitch Event.

Hosted by: The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and the UNC Law School