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In today's newsletter:
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Enter the WBEC Florida Virtual Pitch Competition by Friday, July 18
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Register to Watch the WBEC Florida Virtual Pitch Competition Live
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Meet the Florida team at the WBENC National Conference
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Can't attend? Support virtually by wearing orange on LinkedIn!
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GROW FL taking applications for Florida Companies to Watch
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Entrepreneurial Women of Impact Awards applications now open
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Ready for the First Pitch?
And No, We're Not Talking About Baseball ...
| | Dhomonique Murphy of Sarasota (left) won one of the national competitions in 2024, presented at the national conference by WBEC Florida President and CEO Nancy Allen (center) and WBENC President and CEO Pamela Prince Eason. | | |
WBEC Florida Pitch Competition:
Your Road to the National Finals
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Are you ready to join three other WBEC Florida members who have won the national WBENC Pitch in recent years? Start working on your pitch!
To participate, you'll need to submit a one-minute video telling the story about who you are, why you founded your company, and who you help. Only 10 members will be chosen to move forward to the official WBEC Florida pitch competition, where they will be required to do a 3-minute live presentation on Zoom before a panel of 5 judges. The judges will choose 4 finalists to move on to the national semifinals.
Remember, it's all about the storytelling!
Here are the deadlines and key dates:
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Friday, July 18: WBEC FL submissions due
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July 21-25: WBEC FL submissions evaluated
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Tuesday, July 29: WBEC FL finalists notified and announced
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Oct. 27-28: National Semifinals
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November 2025 (TBA): National Finals
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Watch the Pitches at Our Regional Event
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The WBEC Florida Regional Pitch Competition will take place on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025.
Watch the regional event live!
| | | WBENC National Conference | | |
Meet Up with Us On-Site
We look forward to seeing some of you at the WBENC National Conference in New Orleans! Be sure to join us for the Regional Partner Organization Meet-Up from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, June 23, at the New Orleans convention center to help build the Florida region's parade float. Remember to wear orange (and black/white) to represent our region. We will supply the monarch butterfly pins!
We will also be at the Starbucks in the lobby of the Marriott on Canal Street on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8 a.m. if you want to connect with us about anything you might need, like advice or introductions.
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June 23-26, 2025
in New Orleans
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We look forward
to seeing you there!
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Remember, there is no on-site registration this year ...
So if you haven't registered, start planning for 2026!
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Not Attending the Conference
But Still Want to Support?
You can be part of the fun by being with us in spirit!
Just wear our region's designated color of orange or sport our regional mascot, the monarch butterfly, during the week of June 23-26. Post a photo of yourself on LinkedIn and tag us! We will make you an honorary member of The Order of the Monarchs.
We're glad you're part of our WBEC Florida family, and we will miss seeing your smiling face ... until next time!
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GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch
Is Now Taking Applications
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GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch recognizes second-stage companies in Florida that are making a significant impact. To qualify, your company must show a track record of innovation, growth and community involvement that makes you a contender for this prestigious award.
Applications close June 30, 2025
Qualifications:
- Privately owned.
- Headquartered in Florida.
- Between 6 and 150 full-time equivalent employees in 2024.
- Between $750,000 and $100 million in annual revenue or working capital from investors or grants in 2024.
- Not a past recipient of this award.
- Intention and capacity to grow.
| | 2025 Entrepreneurial Women of Impact Awards Applications Are Now Open | | |
This distinguished award, presented by the Women Presidents Organization (WPO) and Women Elevating Women (W.E.W.)™, honors and celebrates the remarkable professional achievements and community service of entrepreneurial women of color in North America.
Applications close August 5, 2025
Qualifications:
- CEO/President of privately held, for-profit business
- Identify as a woman of color
- Based in North America
- At least $500,000 in revenue in 2024
- Not a previous recipient of the award
Eight winners will be selected in each of 3 revenue categories:
- $500,000 to $1 million
- $1 million to $10 million
- $10 million plus
| | Thank You to Our Sponsors | | |
WBEC Florida and WBENC Anti-Discrimination Policy
As a community of entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and economic development thought leaders, WBENC and the WBEC Florida Regional Partner Organization are committed to the elimination of discrimination in all areas of business and the provision of equal opportunity when accessing capital, contracts, and contacts. In compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, we do not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status in any of our policies, procedures, or practices. This anti-discrimination policy covers admission and access to, and treatment, in all programs and activities.
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