APPLICATION

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The Swim With the Sharks Pitch Competition is open to for-profit businesses within the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce traditional service areas that has been in business fewer than five (5) years. This area includes all three (3) Delaware counties, (New Castle, Kent, and Sussex). Entrants MUST have a valid business license at the time of submission, a presence in Delaware, and available to pitch in person at the finals on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at Penn Cinema located in Wilmington, Delaware.

All applicants must submit an application form plus a 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, each of which will carry 20 points for a total maximum total score of 100: 

• 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 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 14, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. EST

Deadline for submissions: August 5, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST

Eligible submissions invited to present virtual pitch before a panel between August 12-28, 2024

Selected Finalists Pitch Live at Penn Cinema at 5:00 p.m. on September 25, 2024

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.