Pitch Competition

Nipsey Hussle Business Grant

$100,000 Invest Fest Pitch Competition

Sponsored by Microsoft, Neighborhood Nip Foundation & Earn Your Leisure

Microsoft

Neighborhood Nip Foundation

Earn Your Leisure

Invest Fest returns with a bang! This year, brace yourselves for our inaugural Nipsey Hussle Business Grant:  $100,000 Invest Fest Pitch Competition. Along our journey, we’ve encountered remarkable entrepreneurs charting their course with unwavering purpose and commitment to excellence. Now, through our partnership with Microsoft and The Marathon were primed to award $100,000 to one outstanding entrepreneur to fuel their business ambitions.

Dive below for details on submitting your business. The top four finalists will grace the Invest Fest 2024 main stage to vie for the grand prize. We’re eager to uncover the depths of your entrepreneurial endeavors!

All applications will be reviewed after the posted deadline.

Successful applicants will be notified via email by August 16th, 2024.

Notification is subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with all the terms and conditions set forth herein.

Rules

  1. 1. Submissions accepted between June 3rd and August 10th 

  2. 2. Must be an Invest Fest ticket holder 

  3. 3. Must create an Instagram video explaining your business and how $100,000 can help

  4. 4. Tag @investfestival, @themarathonclothing & @earnyourleisure 

  5. 5. Must complete entry form at investfest.com/pitchcompetition


*(150) participants (100 preselected, 50 walk-ins) will be chosen 

to pitch in person on August 23rd at Invest Fest. 

Four finalists will advance to pitch on the main stage on August 24th. 

(1) Winner will then receive the $100,000 grant. 

 

First Round: Live In-Person Pitch (August 23rd, 2024) 

  • Each contestant will have the chance for a 1 minute live pitch in front of judges 

  • Each contestant must prepare a visual presentation under 1 minute for display

  • (3) finalists will be chosen from the 100 contestants pre-selected 

  • (1) finalist will be chosen from the first 50 walk-ins 

  • The (4) finalists chosen will then have the chance to present live on August 24th, for a chance to win 

Judges

Ashaala Shanae, Donni Wiggins, David Shands, David Reggina, Ladun Thompson & Jasmine Terry

 

Finals: Live In-Person Pitch (August 24th, 2024) 

  • Each of the (4) finalists will have 3 minutes to present live on the main stage 

  • Each finalists must prepare a visual presentation under 3 minutes for display on the stage screen 

  • Following each presentation, judges will give feedback and score individually on stage 

  • Score cards will be tallied at the end to determine (1) winner 

  • The finalists with the highest score will receive the presentation of a $100,000 check on stage 

Judges

Blacc Sam / Jorge Peniche  / Rashad Bilal / Troy Millings

Nipsey Hussle Business Grant
$100,000 Invest Fest Pitch Competition Application