1863 Ventures and Ford Motor Company Fund Celebrate Five Years of HI-HERImpact Entrepreneurship Competition
1863 Ventures, an independent, Black-led national business development nonprofit and venture capital accelerator and Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, are excited to announce the HI-HERImpact Pitch Competition, a shark tank style social entrepreneurship pitch competition, is headed back to its roots in Detroit for its 5th Anniversary on Thursday, September 28th, 2023.
The competition has awarded grants totalling over $300,000 to various women-led social enterprises based in Detroit, Miami, Washington D.C. and Kansas City since its inception in 2018. Past winners have been invited to compete again, commemorating the last five years of growth and support for women entrepreneurs who are making an effort to solve issues within their community.
Among the 24 past winners, five finalists were selected to pitch their business in the HI-HERImpact anniversary competition for a chance to win a grand prize of $50,000. Encompassing a diverse array of sectors, including consumer products, health, services and technology, this year’s competition features a dynamic lineup of competitors:
- Alecia Gabriel, based in Detroit, is the innovator of The Lab Drawer, which is dedicated to ensuring young individuals in disenfranchised communities have access to STEM education
- Anastasia Mikhalochkina, founder of Lean Orb Co. in Miami, provides sustainable solutions to combat single-use plastics via compostable food packaging.
- Arion Long, based in Washington D.C., is the creator of organic period care brand Femly.
- Brittany Rhodes, founder of Black Girl MATHgic in Detroit, provides a monthly subscription box that encourages confidence in math.
- Lisa Ragan, representing Kansas City, has established a friendly snack brand, Safely Delicious.
“HI-HERImpact celebrates the unwavering spirit of women entrepreneurs who are driving positive change in their communities,” says 1863 Ventures Founder Melissa Bradley. “This event is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration, showcasing the incredible ideas and solutions that arise when diverse voices are given the platform they deserve. We are thrilled to come together with Ford Motor Company Fund and our partners to mark five years of supporting and empowering women-led social enterprises.”
This year’s event is set to take place in collaboration with Newlab @ Michigan Central, a support ecosystem for local Detroit startups and entrepreneurs to expand their businesses. The HI-HERImpact event will be open to the public and will provide a platform to network, learn and be inspired. In addition to the competition, 1863 Ventures will host an engaging panel discussion on the importance of social entrepreneurship with business leaders from the Detroit area. The event will also include a vendor showcase with local women-owned businesses for guests to explore and shop.
Winners will be determined by a distinguished panel of judges who will award prizes of $50,000 for first place, $25,000 for second place and $15,000 for third place. Adding to the excitement, this year’s competition will also include an audience choice winner, which will be determined by both in-person attendees and those tuning in via the 1863 Ventures live stream on YouTube. This winner will receive a $5,000 grant towards their business needs.
To register for the HI-HERImpact Pitch Competition event, please visit https://lu.ma/99kmiwki. For more information on 1863 Ventures, please visit https://www.1863ventures.net.
