Hy-Vee plans summit, pitch competition with $45K+ in investments for minority-, women-owned businesses
August 26, 2022 | Startland News Staff
A Midwest supermarket chain announced this week a new event to help showcase its commitment to advancing minority- and women-owned companies at the home of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Hy-Vee OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summit is set for Sept. 27 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, courtesy of the Chiefs, and is expected to feature an expo offering resources for small businesses, educational presentations and panel discussions.
A pitch competition for minority- and women-owned businesses is also planned with local entrepreneurs invited to apply for the chance to showcase their products or services during the summit. Selected applicants will present to a panel of judges for the chance to win a $30,000 grand prize as an investment for future endeavors.
Categories for the pitch competition include: economically viable and/or previously tested products or services: food and beverage; product innovation and technology; and health, wellness and beauty.
Click here to submit an application. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. Sept. 1.
A panel of judges will select one winner to earn $30,000. Additionally, one first-place winner will be selected from each pitch category (three total) to win $5,000 each. Additional cash investments will be awarded, and select finalists may be invited to participate in a roundtable discussion regarding their product or service following the summit.
“Hy-Vee remains committed to inclusivity by expanding and enhancing product and service offerings that support various needs, lifestyles and backgrounds,” the company said in a press release. “The summit gives local minority- and women-owned businesses the opportunity to grow and prosper, while providing Hy-Vee customers with meaningful solutions to make their lives easier, healthier and happier.”
A majority of the summit (speakers and panel group discussions) will be held at Tower Club East at GEHA Field, in addition to other rooms nearby. The pitch competition is planned for Tower Club West.
Community groups and organizations, area businesses and other professionals interested in supporting or networking with small-business owners are invited to attend the summit at no cost.
Hy-Vee is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 285 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of more than $12 billion annually.
2022 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Avatar for hire (in a few years): Gamified career platform helps kids explore their future in the workforce
It’s a powerful question asked in classrooms every day, Jessica Munoz Valerio said, recalling her own experience with the common prompt and how tapping into and gamifying it could change lives. “When my daughter was young — as early as 5 years old — she got asked, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’”she…
Missouri startup wants to make it easier for HR to fill tech gap with foreign nationals; its immigration management software just got funded
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. ST.…
UMKC’s pitch competition showcases ‘real people’ solving real problems with $88K up for grabs
Seven ventures remain in a popular regional business challenge that culminates this week with $88,000 in prizes on the line. Many of the competitors: no strangers to the pitch stage. Finalist presentations in the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge are planned for in-person Friday afternoon, followed by an awards ceremony at the UMKC Bloch Executive Hall.…
Entrepreneurs pack Union Station as Chamber showcases diversity of KC’s small biz scene
Editor’s note: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a non-financial partner of Startland News, which serves as the media partner for the Small Business Superstars program. A diverse cross-section of Kansas City small business owners filled the Grand Hall at Union Station with energy and enthusiasm Thursday, Vicky Kulikov said, noting a significant…