Pitch It Bladen County

Pitch It

Bladen County

Pitch It Bladen County

BROUGHT TO YOU BY VISIONAG, THE HILTON COMPANIES AND THE SMALL BUSINESS CENTER AT BLADEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

APPLICATIONS DUE: December 11, 2026

The goal of the Small Business Center at Bladen Community College is to help establish new businesses in our area by providing resources and support. Based on last year’s success, we are pleased to announce PITCH IT BLADEN COUNTY 2027, a competition for the encouragement of business ideas and development with the bonus of a chance to win a cash prize.

PROGRAM ELEMENTS

The program was designed by the Real Entrepreneurship and has been used at other Small Business Centers throughout North Carolina. The participants will receive detailed instruction on requirements for establishing a business, including the process of developing a business plan, an understanding of standards for bookkeeping and financial reporting, creation of a marketing plan, and preparation for funding requests through grants and loans.

Classes will be held weekly starting January 12, 2027 from 5:30-8:30pm at Bladen Community College in Dublin. The program includes 8 structured classes that result in a business plan and blueprint for success.

Applications are due by December 11, 2026 and should be submitted to Terri Dennison, Small Business Director at Bladen Community College ([email protected] ). A selection of 10 -12 participants will be chosen from all applicants.

At the completion participants will have developed a business plan, financial plan and “pitch” presentation. The pitch presentation will be presented to a panel of judges representing local businesses and funding partners. The top three pitches will be awarded cash prizes to help with the creation of their business: 1^st – $1500, 2^nd – $1000, and 3^rd – $500

ELIGIBILITY

Planned business must be located or based in Bladen County.
All business types are eligible, including home-based and internet-based.
Applicant must be over 18 years old. Any applicant 18 and under must have a legal guardian participate alongside the applicant (this includes attending classes and counseling session.)
This competition is for new businesses. The applicant can have applied for an LLC or other business structure with the state, but should not have opened a business banking account, begun receiving income, or incurring expenses.
Existing businesses owners can submit a new business concept if it will be a new company.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants will be decided by an application process. Applicants must:

Fill out a form agreeing to the class participation and business plan requirement.
Submit a resume.
Submit a description of their business idea.

COMMITMENTS

If applicant is chosen to participate, they must commit to:

Complete two (2) hours of business counselling with the SBC Director.
Attend at least six (6) out of the eight (8) classes.
Complete all assignments.
Submit a final Business Plan and Pitch Deck by Friday, March 25.
Present their Small Business Pitch to the judges at the assigned time.
Be present at the winner announcement and certificate program at the Small Business Expo, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 22.

SCHEDULE AND TIMELINE

Participants will meet on Tuesdays for 8 weeks of classes – 3 hours each.
Classes will be held at Bladen Community College on Tuesdays night from 5:50-8:30pm.

Nov. 2, 2026 ……………………. Announcement of competition – application period opens.
Dec. 11, 2026 …………………… Deadline for applications.
Dec. 18, 2026 ………………….. Applications are reviewed and candidates contacted

Jan. 12 – Mar. 16, 2027 …… Classes to held Tuesday from 5:30pm – 8:30pm

Jan. 12	1st class
Jan. 19	2nd class
Jan. 26	3rd class
Feb. 2	4th class
Feb. 9	5th class
Feb. 23	6th class
March 2	7th class
March 16	8th class

March 25, 2026 ……………………………… Business Plans and Presentation Decks due.
April 7, 2026 ………………………………….. Pitch Day. Presentation to Judges.
April 21, 2026 ………………………………… Certificate Presentation & Award Winners announced during the Small Business Expo.

SPONSORED BY:
Bladen Community College
VisionAG
Hilton Companies
Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
First Bank

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