WILMINGTON — The Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce, the Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative, and United Way of Delaware announce the 3rd annual Minority Small Business Pitch or Ditch competition, a fast-paced business pitch competition modeled after ABC’s “Shark Tank,” where minority entrepreneurs from around Delaware present their businesses to a panel of judges and compete for cash prizes.

Minority small business owners are invited to apply to the program through Oct. 20. From the group of applicants, judges will select up to five finalists to be announced on Dec. 14.

The finalists then pitch their business or business idea to the panel of judges in an intense, live setting. Each finalist will have three minutes to make their pitch, plus an additional five minutes for questions from the panel of judges.

Finalists are evaluated on their knowledge of their industry, knowledge of their business finances, effectiveness of their presentation, and their ability to end on time.

The Pitch or Ditch presentations will be Jan. 25, 2024, at 6 p.m. at the Wilmington Public Library.

Last year’s Pitch or Ditch competition was won by Nikita Thomas, owner of God’s Green Earth RX, a purveyor of natural products, including herbal teas, soaps, and natural remedies. As the competition winner, Ms. Thomas received $10,000 to invest in her business.

An optional virtual information session for interested minority small business owners is scheduled for Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. Sign up to attend the information session and learn more about the Pitch or Ditch Competition on our website.