Exciting Opportunity for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Pitch It! Carteret

The Carteret Chamber of Commerce and the Carteret Community College Small Business Center are excited to present Pitch It, a dynamic competition designed to empower aspiring entrepreneurs in Carteret County. This event offers participants the opportunity to showcase their innovative business ideas before a panel of three esteemed Business Bulldogs for a chance to win start-up funding and valuable prizes.

Do you have a new business idea?

Now’s your chance to make it happen!

What’s at stake?

•  1st place: $3,000
•  2nd place: $2,000
•  3rd place: $1,000

Who should apply?

The ideal candidate:

• Has never started a business before or is applying with a brand-new business concept for a business based in Carteret County.
• Is passionate, knowledgeable about their industry, and committed to the training needed to start their business the right way.

Contestant Eligibility Criteria:

All applicants must be residents of Carteret County and agree to the following certifications:

• They are not currently in business with the business concept presented in their application.
• They will participate in all Pitch It! Carteret affiliated trainings/events.
• They are not currently employees of Marine Federal Credit Union, Carteret Chamber of Commerce, or Carteret Community College.
• They are not related to any current Carteret Community College or Marine Federal Credit Union employees.
• They plan to open a new business based in Carteret County.
• They will use any prize funds received exclusively for the business they pitched in the program.
• They will deposit any prize funds into a business bank account in the name of the business they pitched in the competition.
• They will inform Marine Federal Credit Union, the Small Business Center at Carteret CC, and the Carteret Chamber of Commerce when they have officially started their business, created jobs, and retained jobs within their company.
• They will respond to all requests for information, including participating in the Small Business Center’s annual impact survey for a minimum of three years after participating in the program.
• They will participate in the program ethically and represent themselves and the program professionally at all times.

Application Requirements:

1. Submit a 3-minute video explaining your business idea.
2. Provide a professional resume.
3. Show proof of Carteret County residency.

How to Apply:

Use the button below to submit your application.

Key Dates to Remember:

•  March 3, 2025, at 5:00 PM – Application deadline
•  March 25, 2025 – Deadline to register for REAL Entrepreneurship Class
•  June 14, 2025 – Pitch Day (recorded & shared on social media)
•  July 14, 2025 – Pitch videos go public for community voting
•  July 30, 2025 – Winners announced
  

REAL Entrepreneurship Training

Selected applicants will receive FREE training through an 8-week program at the Carteret Community College Small Business Center, designed to help them develop their business plans and pitch decks. Participants will also receive one-on-one business counseling to strengthen their ideas!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:

• Trisha Scott – [email protected] |  910.355.5656
• Brandy Bell –  [email protected] |  252.222.6123