Last year at #BlogHer15, we launched a new SheKnows Media initiative called The Pitch, designed to increase the ranks of women-owned businesses by giving entrepreneurs strategic access to female consumers via our massive marketing and media channels.
Last year's pitch competition at #BlogHer15 ignited a tremendous amount of support from the audience and became a trending topic. It was powerful and inspiring to watch thousands rally behind the women who participated, and we knew in an instant that The Pitch was going to join Voices of the Year as a yearly conference tradition.
Today I'm so excited to give you a peek at the women who will be pitching as part of our Pitch Keynote on Saturday, August 6th. I'll also introduce you to the women who will be giving our pitchers their critiques and support and asking the right (if tough) questions.
The Pitch Keynote this year is being supported by our longtime conference partner, GoDaddy. This year, GoDaddy is upping the ante by allowing us to conduct a monthly online pitch competition after the conference, August through October, so you'll have a chance to participate at #BlogHer16 and also from home!
The whole segment will be kicked off by a motivating presentation from our emcee for The Pitch, Sallie Krawcheck, chief executive officer and co-founder of Ellevest, a recently launched digital investment platform for women.
Sallie (who did a great Twitter chat with us on the topic of investing two weeks ago) will reinforce the opportunities that entrepreneurism offers women. I just interviewed Sallie for this week's upcoming episode of the Who SheKnows podcast, and I was completely captivated (and motivated to improve how I think about money).
The Pitch competitors will include:
- Adda Birnir, founder of Skillcrush, an interactive online learning community helping people transform their careers via technical and digital skills development
Barika Edwards, founder, OweYaa, a web-based platform that engages military services members and spouses through an exchange with startups and nonprofits to help them develop skills and gain civilian work experience
Ritu Narayan, founder of Zum, an online marketplace that helps busy parents secure trustworthy scheduled and on-demand rides and care for their kids
Stacy Katz, founder of Not Parent Approved, a card game for families inspired by Cards Against the Humanity that is appropriate for kids
Zahra Aljabri, founder of Mode-Sty, an online shopping destination for quality, stylish, and modest clothing
Sallie will be joined onstage by the following panel of judges to offer their incisive, supportive input:
Lauren Antonoff, GoDaddy senior vice president of presence and commerce
Courtney Nichols Gould, co-founder and co-chief executive officer, SmartyPants
Lisa Skeete Tatum, chief executive officer, Landit
Majora Carter, chief executive officer of StartUp Box and last year’s winner of The Pitch at #BlogHer15: Experts Among Us
Shira Lazar, co-founder, chief executive officer and host of What’s Trending
Tai Beauchamp, style influencer and entrepreneur
Just like last year, the winner of The Pitch at #BlogHer16 will be determined by a combination of the rankings of the judges and the popular vote of the #BlogHer16 attendees. They will receive year-long marketing, media, and promotional support from SheKnows Media.
We are huge believers in entrepreneurism here at BlogHer and SheKnows Media. If you're working on that big idea, check out The Pitch, and email us at thepitch@sheknows.com if you'd like to be considered for our year-round program.
You can't see the show if you don't go to #BlogHer16. Register now for your seat in sunny Los Angeles August 4-6, 2016.
#BlogHer16: Experts Among Us is THE largest conference for women content creators in the world.
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Elisa Camahort Page
Chief Community Officer, and BlogHer Co-Founder
elisa.camahortpage@sheknows.com