APPLICATION

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The Swim With the Sharks Pitch Competition is open to for-profit businesses within New Castle County that has been in business fewer than five (5) years. Entrants MUST have a valid business license at the time of submission, a headquarters and presence in New Castle County, and available to pitch in person at the finals on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at Penn Cinema located in Wilmington, Delaware.

All applicants must submit an application form plus a pitch deck and business outline of no more than five (5) pages including a cover page (single-sided, Calibri 12 pt, single-spaced, PDF format) that includes the following information: 

• Executive Summary (Mission statement company information; products & services; market and growth highlights)
• Market Research (Industry, target market, competitive, analysis, product/ service line, market position)
• Marketing & Sales (Market communications & penetration strategy, channels of distribution, partners)
• Financial Estimates (Financial projections based on estimated market size, market penetration strategy and estimated expenditure) 

Submissions will be judged by a panel of judges with a range of business expertise. Initial submissions will be judged on the following criteria:

• Overall impression of business outline and feasibility of the business.
• Is there a clear understanding of the market need and opportunity?  
• Does the outline clearly articulate a value proposition? 
• Does the business have a clear go-to-market strategy?
• Does the business have a realistic revenue model and financial projections?  

All eligible submissions will be invited to present a five (5) minute pitch virtually in front of a panel of judges. Judges will have the opportunity to ask questions. Three to five finalists will be selected based on a combined score of the written and oral presentations. 

The finalists will be invited to present a five (5) minute pitch to a panel of judges in person in Wilmington, Delaware. The winner will be selected based on a combined judge/audience vote.   

Application opens on June 2, 2025

Deadline for submissions: August 4, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST

Eligible submissions invited to present virtual pitch before a panel between August 18-September 5, 2025*

Selected Finalists Pitch Live at Penn Cinema at 5:00 p.m. on October 1, 2025

Please note, applicants unable to present their pitch to a panel of judges during the semi-final and final round listed above should not apply. *Semi-final dates are subject to change.