Pitch It Bladen County

Pitch It

Bladen County

Pitch It Bladen County

SMALL BUSINESS CENTER AT BLADEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

APPLICATIONS DUE: DECEMBER 19, 2025

The Small Business Center at Bladen Community College is announcing a new competition to help establish and support new businesses in our area.

Pitch It Bladen County is a program designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs develop their business ideas and plans — with the opportunity to win cash prizes.

PROGRAM ELEMENTS

Participants will receive in-depth instruction on the essential requirements for establishing a business, including:

Developing a comprehensive business plan
Understanding bookkeeping and financial reporting standards
Creating an effective marketing plan
Preparing funding requests through grants and loans

Classes will be held weekly beginning February 10, from 5:30–8:30 p.m. at Booker T. Washington School in Clarkton.

In partnership with the Bladen Together Program, child care and a meal will be provided for each session. The program includes eight structured classes that culminate in the creation of a full business plan and blueprint for success.

Applications are due by December 19, 2025, and should be submitted to Terri Dennison, Small Business Director at Bladen Community College, at [email protected].

A selection of 10–12 participants will be chosen from all applicants.

At the completion of the program, participants will have developed a business plan, financial plan, and pitch presentation. The final pitch will be presented before a panel of judges representing local businesses and funding partners.

The top three pitches will receive cash prizes to help launch their businesses:

1st Place – $1,500
2nd Place – $1,000
3rd Place – $500

ELIGIBILITY

The planned business must be located or based in Bladen County.
All business types are eligible, including home-based and internet-based businesses.
Applicants must be 18 years or older. Applicants under 18 must have a legal guardian participate alongside them (this includes attending classes and counseling sessions).
This competition is for new businesses. Applicants may have already applied for an LLC or other business structure with the state but should not have begun receiving income or incurring expenses.
Existing business owners may submit a new business concept, provided it will be a new entity.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants will be selected through an application process. Applicants must:

Complete a form agreeing to class participation and business plan requirements.
Submit a resume.
Submit a description of their business idea.

COMMITMENTS

If selected, participants must commit to:

Completing 2 hours of business counseling with the SBC Director.
Attending at least 6 of the 8 classes.
Completing all assignments.
Submitting a final Business Plan and Pitch Deck by Friday, April 17.
Presenting their Small Business Pitch to the judges at the assigned time.
Attending the winner announcement and certificate presentation at the Small Business Expo, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, May 7.

SCHEDULE AND TIMELINE

Date	Event
Nov. 13, 2025	Announcement of competition – application period opens
Dec. 19, 2025	Application deadline
Jan. 5–9, 2026	Applications reviewed and candidates contacted
Feb. 10 – Apr. 20, 2026	Classes held weekly on Tuesdays, 5:30–8:30 p.m. at Booker T. Washington School (with some weeks off)

Pitch It Bladen County is a program of the Small Business Center at Bladen Community College, in partnership with the National Association of Community College Entrepreneurs and the Elizabethtown–White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, contact:
Terri Dennison
Small Business Director, Bladen Community College
📞 910-879-5572
📧 [email protected]