On Friday, July 17, 2026, four American small businesses will gather at the Antique Loft in Hoboken, NJ to compete in Verizon's Small Business Super Pitch competition, an event that underscores the vital role of entrepreneurs in communities nationwide. The competition, which coincides with the FIFA World Cup 2026, will see finalists pitch their businesses to a panel of expert judges, including two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion Carli Lloyd.
The four finalists are The Balm Box (Overland Park, KS), founded by six-time cancer survivor Liz Benditt; House of Perna (Delray Beach, FL), a sustainable fashion house led by Amanda Perna; TWB Tours (Seattle, WA), a Pacific Northwest tour company founded by Marlie and Anthony Love; and Renewed Focus (New York, NY), a therapy practice led by Melissa Robinson-Brown. These businesses were selected from over 500 submissions and after winning regional rounds across the country.
“Big cultural events like the FIFA World Cup 2026 offer unparalleled opportunities for small businesses to gain widespread visibility and thrive. Verizon is proud to support these essential community anchors through Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, which provides free resources—including online courses, coaching, funding, and networking—to help entrepreneurs succeed,” said Donna Epps, Chief Responsible Business Officer for Verizon. The competition is part of Verizon's broader initiative to support small businesses through its Small Business Digital Ready platform, which has already helped over 600,000 business owners since its launch in 2020.
In the initial phase, business owners posted videos on social media demonstrating how they used Digital Ready resources to improve their pitching skills. The final four will now deliver pitches for a chance to win cash prizes and receive two tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final. Additionally, all finalists will receive expert mentorship in using artificial intelligence in their businesses.
“Succeeding as a small business is like soccer. It takes daily hard work and the right coaching. I’m proud to see a company like Verizon champion small businesses by providing year-round access to its Digital Ready platform,” said Lloyd. The event highlights how Verizon's investment in small business community development extends beyond the competition, offering free resources to all U.S. small businesses regardless of whether they are Verizon customers.
All participants have received guidance from Precious Williams, Founder and CEO of the Perfect Pitch Group, a successful “Shark Tank” participant and Verizon Small Business Digital Ready instructor. To RSVP for the event on July 17, visit https://events.bizzabo.com/SettingthePitch. The competition underscores the importance of digital tools and mentorship in helping small businesses succeed in today's evolving digital landscape.
