On Friday, July 17, 2026, just days before the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, four American small businesses will gather at the Antique Loft in Hoboken, NJ to compete in Verizon's Small Business Super Pitch. The competition showcases the grit and impact of everyday entrepreneurs who are vital to communities nationwide.
The Verizon Small Business Super Pitch is a nationwide competition designed to discover promising small businesses. After being selected from over 500 submissions and winning regional rounds, the finalists will deliver a compelling pitch on their business. The four finalists are: The Balm Box (Overland Park, KS), founded by six-time cancer survivor Liz Benditt, which ships research-backed care packages for cancer patients; House of Perna (Delray Beach, FL), a fashion house by Amanda Perna focusing on sustainable bold-print clothing; TWB Tours (Seattle, WA), a Pacific Northwest tour company by Marlie and Anthony Love highlighting local culture and small businesses; and Renewed Focus (New York, NY), a therapy practice by Melissa Robinson-Brown that provides care to women.
Verizon's Chief Responsible Business Officer Donna Epps stated, "Big cultural events like the FIFA World Cup 2026 offer unparalleled opportunities for small businesses to gain widespread visibility and thrive. Verizon is proud to support these essential community anchors through Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, which provides free resources—including online courses, coaching, funding, and networking—to help entrepreneurs succeed."
In the initial phase, business owners posted videos on social media about using resources on Verizon Small Business Digital Ready to improve their pitches. Twenty were selected for semifinals in FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities. Now, the final four will pitch to a panel including two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion Carli Lloyd, for cash prizes and two tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final.
Lloyd commented, "Succeeding as a small business is like soccer. It takes daily hard work and the right coaching. I’m proud to see a company like Verizon champion small businesses by providing year-round access to its Digital Ready platform." All finalists will also receive expert mentorship in using artificial intelligence in their business.
Verizon's investment extends beyond the competition. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is a free resource available to all U.S. small businesses, regardless of whether they are Verizon customers. The program has helped over 600,000 business owners since 2020, with a goal to support 1 million by 2030. All Super Pitch participants received guidance from Precious Williams, Founder and CEO of the Perfect Pitch Group and a Verizon Small Business Digital Ready instructor.
To RSVP for the event on July 17, visit https://events.bizzabo.com/SettingthePitch. For more information on the competition and to register for Small Business Digital Ready, visit https://www.verizon.com/about/responsibility/digital-inclusion/small-business-program.
