Pull Up & Pitch

Grant Overview

Black Girl Ventures runs Pull Up & Pitch, a live competition where founders win cash the same day. No pitch decks, no written applications, no months of waiting. Just you, 60 seconds, and three judges who vote with their thumbs. The program launched in 2016 and has since funded over 450 women of color across 15 cities – alumni now collectively generate more than $10 million in revenue. It’s modeled on the historic African American “Rent Party” tradition: community gathering to fund each other in real time. That spirit lives on. You show up early, deliver your 60-second story, and walk away with cash if the judges connect.

The next confirmed events are Washington, D.C. on September 20, 2026, New York City on October 18, 2025, and Detroit on March 28, 2026. Houston is also mentioned for May 30, 2026 – though I’d monitor Black Girl Ventures’ Eventbrite for official confirmation.

Key Grant Information

Active

86 days left

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Pull Up & Pitch

Funded by Black Girl Ventures

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Grant Snapshot

Grant Award

$10,000

Application Deadline

September 20, 2026 86 days left

Eligible Region

United States

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Eligibility and Benefits

Eligibility Criteria

• US-registered business (required to receive funding)
• Annual revenue under $1 million
• Identify as a woman, Black, or Brown founder (mission focus – check specific event)
• Must attend event in person

Grant Benefits

• $200, $250, $500 in round one (immediate PayPal)
• $10,000 first place, $3,000 second, $2,000 third in finals
• No pitch deck required
• Free to register and pitch

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Focus Areas

grants for women of color entrepreneurs pitch competition funding Black Girl Ventures grant

If you’re not sure whether you qualify, the eligibility tool below checks against the core criteria – US registration, revenue under $1M, and founder identity. It takes two minutes and tells you exactly where you stand.

If the tool shows you’re eligible, you can start full application submission to get expert help with your pitch preparation. Start Full Application Submission If you’re unsure about any requirement – especially if your revenue is near the cap or your founder identity doesn’t fit neatly – book a consultation and we’ll figure it out together. If you’re not eligible, don’t worry. Scroll down to the More Grants section for alternatives that might match your profile.

Rent Party Roots

Pull Up & Pitch traces back to the “Rent Party” – a practice in early 20th-century African American communities where a host would throw a party, charge a small fee, and use the money to pay rent. Neighbours showed up, had fun, and literally kept a family in their home. Black Girl Ventures revived that idea, but instead of rent, it’s seed money for your business. The crowd becomes your investors. The stage becomes your opportunity. And the whole thing runs on energy, not paperwork. That history matters because it explains why this format feels different from every other grant you’ve researched. It was built by community, for community.

Event Lineup: Where to Pitch

Pull Up & Pitch happens in cities across the U.S., often with local partners. For 2025-2026, these events are confirmed so far:

• Washington, D.C. – September 20, 2026 at the University of Maryland. Partners include the NBA Foundation and the Washington Mystics. If you’re local, check out grants in your state while you’re here.
• New York City – October 18, 2025 at the Harlem School of the Arts. This one has a crucial detail: line-up starts at 8 a.m. First-come, first-served means if you show up at 10, you might be watching from the crowd. Grants in your state can give you more options if the timing doesn’t work.
• Detroit – March 28, 2026 at The Beacon. Line-up starts at 8:30 AM for a 10 AM event. Press coverage indicates a cap of around 100 founders per event, so early arrival is essential.
• Houston – May 30, 2026 (tentative – monitor Eventbrite for confirmation).

Black Girl Ventures also partners with Visa on a six-city program – Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, and D.C. – so keep an eye on those locations for future dates. Want to know when a new event drops? Our dashboard helps you track announcements.

Prizes & Voting

The structure is simple, but the implications matter. Here’s how the money moves:

Round 1 pays $200 for one thumbs-up, $250 for two, and $500 for three. That $500 also advances you to Round 2, where the top seven founders compete for the bigger prizes: $10,000 first, $3,000 second, $2,000 third. Payouts happen the same day via PayPal transfer. I mention this because founders who wait until event day to set it up sometimes miss their payout window.

Sponsor contributions can boost city prize pools – a partner press release noted Chesapeake Employers added $10,000 to the DC event pot. So the headline “$30,000 total prize pool” is real, but it can vary by city.

Hidden Constraints

A key detail: Pull Up & Pitch caps participation at around 100 founders per event. I found this in local press coverage – once that roster fills, the doors close. You cannot just show up at noon and expect to pitch. You need to RSVP on Eventbrite the moment the event is announced, then physically stand in line starting at 8 or 8:30 AM. The NYC event explicitly says line-up at 8 a.m. Detroit said 8:30. If you arrive at the event start time, you’re watching, not pitching.

The cap explains why the Detroit event drew over 100 founders – they exceeded their own limit. Scarcity is baked into the model. If you’re serious, register immediately and show up early. Prepare your pitch months in advance so you’re ready when the slot opens.

Do You Qualify? Eligibility and Its Nuances

The core criteria are straightforward. Your business must be registered in the US. Annual revenue under $1 million. That cap is enforced – community posts confirm founders have been rejected for exceeding it.

Demographic eligibility is where things get less certain. Black Girl Ventures’ mission focuses on women, Black, and Brown founders. The official “Pull Up & Pitch” page uses the phrase “under-resourced founders.” A 2022 Miami event explicitly required founders to identify as Black or Brown and be based in that city. But the current program page doesn’t repeat that language. What I can tell you with confidence: the program is designed for founders who face systemic barriers to capital. If you identify as a woman, Black, or Brown founder, you’re in the intended audience. If you’re unsure, check the specific Eventbrite listing for whatever city you’re considering – it may spell out any local partner criteria.

One clarification that matters: the 51% women-ownership rule appears in a different BGV program called “BGV Pitch.” That rule does NOT apply to Pull Up & Pitch. Don’t self-disqualify based on the wrong program.

What You Need to Prepare

The official FAQ says: “Your best 60-second and 3-minute elevator pitch. No pitch decks required.” That’s it. No financial statements, no business plan, no letters of support. Just you and your ability to communicate what your business does, why it matters, and what you’d do with the funding.

In practice, a 60-second pitch is about 150 words. You do not have time for a heartfelt origin story. You need to state the problem, your solution, one piece of traction (revenue, users, partnerships), and your ask – all before the buzzer. The founders who win are not necessarily the ones with the most innovative ideas. They’re the ones who can articulate their value in plain language under pressure.

Here’s what you should prepare:

• A 60-second script – memorised, but delivered conversationally. Practice until you can do it without rushing.
• A 3-minute script – only if you advance to Round 2. Don’t spend equal time on both; the 60-second version is your primary weapon.
• A verified PayPal account – winners are paid same-day via PayPal. Personal accounts may work, but business accounts are recommended for tax documentation.

If public speaking makes you nervous, you’re not alone. Most winners felt the same way. The difference is they rehearsed, got feedback, and stepped on stage anyway. That’s where expert help can change your odds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a pitch deck?
A: No. The program explicitly states no pitch decks required. Round 1 is 60 seconds of pure verbal pitch. Round 2 is three minutes, still no slides.

Q: Is the 51% women-ownership rule required?
A: No. That rule applies to a separate program called BGV Pitch. Pull Up & Pitch’s donor page emphasises women-identifying and under-resourced founders but does not have a universal 51% requirement. Check your city Eventbrite if you’re uncertain.

Q: How do I find out when an event is near me?
A: Black Girl Ventures announces events through their Eventbrite organizer page and social media. There’s no master calendar – monitoring Eventbrite is your best bet.

Q: What if I freeze on stage?
A: That’s exactly why we offer live 1-on-1 pitch coaching. A mock session with feedback can turn panic into muscle memory. Start a coaching request and we’ll match you with an expert.

Q: What are the tax implications of winning?
A: Prize money transferred via PayPal counts as taxable income. Keep records and consult a tax professional – the same-day payout doesn’t mean tax-free.

Q: Can I compete in multiple cities?
A: The official rules don’t prohibit it, but event policies may vary. If you’re considering this, check with the organizer or monitor city-specific Eventbrite terms.

Q: Do I need to be registered as a business to receive funding?
A: Yes. The Detroit event page explicitly states you must be a US-registered business to be eligible for prize money. You can still pitch without registration, but you won’t receive funds.

Key Terms Explained

Pull Up & Pitch

Black Girl Ventures’ live pitch competition where founders compete for immediate cash prizes in a two-round format.

Rent Party

A historical African American community fundraiser, revived by BGV as the model for their events – community funding each other in real time.

Thumbs-up vote

Each judge gives a thumbs up or down after your 60-second pitch; one thumb = $200, two = $250, three = $500 and advancement.

100-founder cap

Approximate limit on the number of founders who can pitch at a single event, based on press coverage.

First-come, first-served

Pitch slots are filled in order of on-site registration – line-up starts at 8-8:30 AM, not when the event begins.

Round 1 / Final round

Round one is 60 seconds for all pitchers. The top seven advance to a 3-minute final round.

Under-resourced founder

BGV’s term for their target audience: founders who face systemic barriers to traditional capital, with a focus on women, Black, and Brown entrepreneurs.

PayPal payout

Winners receive funds via PayPal the same day; a verified account is required.

Alumni 2x capital

BGV alumni raise twice as much funding as non-alumni, according to their impact data.

Sponsor prize boost

Local sponsors can increase city prize pools beyond the baseline $30K – check your city listing for exact pots.

More Grants for Women Founders

Pull Up & Pitch is one path, but there are others. If the timing doesn’t work, you’re not near an event city, or you prefer traditional applications, explore these alternatives:

• Galaxy of Stars Grant – $5,000 to $50,000 for women and minority founders.
• Runway to Revenue Accelerator – larger prizes from $20,000 to $100,000 for women and BIPOC founders.
• More grants for women-owned businesses – our full archive.
• Grants available in your state – location-specific opportunities.
• Other pitch competitions – similar formats with different parameters.

How Grantaura Helps You Win

The friction points in this grant are real. Discovery is unpredictable – events are announced sporadically and fill fast. Preparation is demanding – 20 hours for a 60-second pitch that cannot hide behind slides. Performance is live – you get one shot in front of judges with no revision.

We address each of these directly:

• Discovery support – we help you track Eventbrite and BGV announcements via your dashboard.
• Pitch coaching – live 1-on-1 video sessions to refine your 60-second narrative and practice delivery.
• Mock sessions – full run-throughs with feedback on what separates a $200 pitch from a $10,000 pitch.
• Logistics strategy – we help you plan your arrival time, PayPal setup, and day-of game plan.

The founders who win are not the ones with the best businesses. They’re the ones who communicate most effectively in a compressed format. That’s a learnable skill. If you’re planning to attend an upcoming event, start your application now and let’s make sure your pitch is ready before you step on that stage.

Start Full Application Submission Consultation

About the Author

I’ve been tracking pitch competitions and grant programs for underserved founders since before Grantaura launched. Pull Up & Pitch is one of my favourites because it strips away the bureaucratic layers that make traditional funding feel like a black box. The transparency of thumbs-up voting, the immediacy of same-day PayPal, the Rent Party history – it all adds up to something rare. But I’ve also seen too many founders underestimate what it takes to win a verbal pitch competition. They assume no deck means easy. They show up unprepared and leave with nothing. The Detroit event drawing over 100 founders proves the competition is real. If you’re considering this grant, commit to the preparation. The 20 hours are an investment, not a burden. I’m here to help you make it count.

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