Startup Competition Puts Purpose Into Profit

​​Today, Circular Board announced its upcoming Pitch with Purpose, a pitch competition for women entrepreneurs leading high-growth, scalable businesses that support the resolution of the world’s most pressing problems. Presented with Dell, Johnson & Johnson, Guggenheim Partners and United Nations Foundation, Pitch with Purpose is the world’s only purpose-based pitch competition for women-led businesses in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Applicants may submit entries online (www.thecircularboard.com/pitch-with-purpose), and three finalists will be invited to present a live pitch in front of an audience of successful founders, investors and media at Circular Board’s flagship event, Circular Summit, to be held March 30-31, 2017, in Houston. Applications are open to any business with at least one female founder or female CEO, and in operation for at least 12 months. Companies will be judged on scalability, impact on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, innovation of product/service, strength of team and overall presentation.

The winning pitch will receive a comprehensive awards package designed to accelerate scalability and social impact:

•     Cash prize on behalf of Johnson & Johnson and Guggenheim Partners

•     Technology offerings, courtesy of Dell

•     Admission into the Circular Board accelerator for women entrepreneurs

•     Mentorship, media feature(s) and an executive styling session.

The two remaining finalists will each receive $2,500.

Five semi-finalists will also win entry into Circular Summit with a VIP Experience to be attended by investors and featured speakers, including Cherie Blair (Cherie Blair Foundation founder), Sheila Marcelo (Care.com founder and CEO), Jessica Herrin (Stella & Dot founder and CEO), Melanie Whelan (Soul Cycle founder and CEO) and other leading entrepreneurs.

“Women entrepreneurs are leading the way for social impact businesses – they’re building companies and creating new markets that have a positive effect on the world. The power of this movement is going to be the change the world wishes to see in its economies,” said Carolyn Rodz, founder and CEO, Circular Board. “Pitch with Purpose is an opportunity for mission-driven companies to earn cash, technology and mentorship to increase their capacity to make a true difference on a global scale.”

“Dell’s business strategy is guided by the belief that technology drives human progress, opening new markets, reshaping industries and improving lives. As such, we look to support organizations with the same philosophy,” said Karen Quintos, EVP and chief customer officer, Dell. “Through our ongoing conversations with entrepreneurs, we’ve learned that issues around access to capital, technology, networks and talent are the major inhibitors to female entrepreneurial success. We are committed to supporting women entrepreneurs through these critical components for success, and are excited to partner with Pitch for a Purpose to enable these business leaders to make a positive impact on the world.”

“At the United Nations Foundation, we know that creative entrepreneurial solutions are key to ensuring a better world for everyone. This begins with the community of entrepreneurs and innovators who are working to make business work for people and planet,” said Aaron Sherinian, chief communications and marketing officer, UN Foundation. “The Pitch with Purpose initiative ensures that these innovators have the resources they need to develop solutions to some of the world’s most pressing concerns.”

Ann-Christine Langselius, founder and CEO of Miraculum, Inc., and winner of the 2016 Pitch with Purpose, said, “It was a truly amazing opportunity and experience to be a part of Pitch with Purpose. Winning the competition afforded me with a great network and great business opportunities.”

Prospective Pitch with Purpose contenders can learn more about the application process at www.thecircularboard.com/pitch-with-purpose. The deadline to apply is Feb. 15, 2017.

About Circular Board:

Circular Board is a collaborative accelerator for growth-oriented female entrepreneurs who lead, or aspire to build, businesses with multi-million dollar revenues. We support women in business around the world through mentorship, content, community and capital, and connect founders to the resources they need to fuel growth. For more information, visit www.thecircularboard.com.

About the Co-Chairs:

Carolyn Rodz

Three-time entrepreneur Carolyn Rodz is founder of Circular Board. She has helped raise billions of dollars of capital for innovative organizations, created a luxury retail line that sold in over 400 stores worldwide, and later launched an interactive marketing firm serving Fortune 500 enterprises and startups positioning themselves for industry leadership. Carolyn now serves as an advocate for women entrepreneurs, connecting them to sources of capital, strategic partners, and mentors to create businesses that scale. She is recognized among Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2016 “Women to Watch”, as a Sam Walton Emerging Entrepreneur, and Micro to Millions awardee in partnership with American Express. Carolyn is a delegate to the United Nations Foundation Global Accelerator, a member of the Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network, TEDx speaker, former student board member for the Texas A&M Mays College of Business and contributor to Fortune, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur and Time.

Elizabeth Gore

Elizabeth Gore is the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Dell, where she drives initiatives that support Dell’s goals around helping small and medium businesses scale and prosper to drive the world economy. Elizabeth personally advises the growth of companies such as the women’s accelerator Circular Board, ride share commuting company Scoop, online and mobile fundraising platform Classy and innovative water company SOMA. She is the Emeritus Chair of the United Nations Foundation’s Global Entrepreneurs Council, and previously served as the first ever Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the UN Foundation, as well as Vice President of Global Partnerships, founding strategic grassroots efforts, such as Nothing But Nets, Girl Up and Shot@Life. Elizabeth was named by People as one of the Top 100 Extraordinary Women and is one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, and has been featured on multiple media outlets, including: ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, FOX Business, Fast Company, Fortune, Glamour, Entrepreneur, People, and Time.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Courtenay Siegfried
20K Group
(713) 516-1055
courtenaysiegfried@20kgroup.com