PitcHER ™

This year, AnitaB.org will partner with Backstage Capital, founded by Arlan Hamilton, to host the AnitaB.org PitcHER™ competition. Backstage Capital invests in companies led by underestimated founders, including women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ founders.

The annual AnitaB.org PitcHER™ contest is a pitch competition bringing leading women and non-binary entrepreneurs to Grace Hopper Celebration – the world’s largest gathering of women and non-binary technologists – with the goal of supporting, encouraging, and providing new funding opportunities to these entrepreneurs.

This year, we are looking for entrepreneurs from all industries who are leading early-stage technology startups. The top 8 finalists will compete at the 2023 Grace Hopper Celebration and will receive GHC 23 registration, travel, and lodging accommodations.

The top 8 finalists will also compete for a total of $100,000 in funding provided by Backstage Capital – to be split among the top three finalists, including an Audience Favorite

• Executive Team: You (the applicant and, if selected as a finalist, the pitch presenter) must identify as a woman or non-binary, be the founder of your business, and be part of the current executive team (e.g. the CEO or CTO).
• Stage: Your startup is in its early stage of development (seed): You have a minimum viable product (MVP) and have gotten some user feedback. Revenue is not required.
• Funding: Your startup has raised less than $2 million in total funding including self-funding, friends and family, angel investors, grants, etc.
• Location: Your startup is based in the U.S. and serves the U.S. market (although it may also be international).
• Return of Capital: (For-profit startups only) Your startup provides compelling evidence that it will be profitable enough to reward investors for risk.
• Scale of Impact: (Nonprofit startups only) Your startup provides compelling evidence that it will have an impact that aligns with its mission.

Finalists will be selected based on a range of criteria, including:

• Innovation: What is new or innovative about your tech product or service?
• Impact: What positive impact does your business have on women and/or families and children?
• Business Model: (For-profit startups only) Your startup is “venture-scalable;” there is potential to grow into a billion-dollar venture.
• Theory of Change: (Nonprofit startups only) Your startup has a strong and clear theory of change; there is contextual knowledge of public policy, economics, and/or technology.