Pitch Black (MAC Chamber / MAC Foundation, Omaha)
MAC Chamber / MAC Foundation (Omaha, Nebraska)
Prizes of $1,000 to $10,000 (2026 package)
Pitch competition for underrepresented entrepreneurs, immigrants and refugees in NE, IA, MO, MN and KS. 2026 prizes ran $1,000 to $10,000. Deadline November 2, 2026.
Pitch Black is a seventh-annual pitch competition for under-resourced and underrepresented entrepreneurs, immigrants and refugees running for-profit businesses in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota or Kansas. The 2026 prizes were $10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second, $2,500 for third, $1,000 each for fourth and fifth, and a $5,000 Investors' Pick; the 2027 package is in development. Applications opened September 8, 2026 and must be submitted by November 2, 2026; late submissions are not accepted. Entrants must attend coaching rounds and a June 12, 2027 finale, and non-Nebraska applicants attend four in-person sessions in Omaha. The full application sits behind an eligibility-check form.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Foundation
- Amount range
- $1,000 – $10,000
- Realistic amount
- 2026 prizes ranged from $1,000 to $10,000; the 2027 package is not yet announced.
- Deadline
- 2027 competition applications closed November 2, 2026; annual, next call not yet announced
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- NE, IA, MO, MN, KS
Who qualifies
- For-profit business established in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota or Kansas
- Individual owner or at least 51% of owners resident in those states
- Owners must identify as under-resourced and underrepresented entrepreneurs, immigrants, or refugees
- Business less than 5 years old (eligibility gate question)
- Must attend coaching rounds and the June 12, 2027 finale
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Business prize money (use restrictions not published)
Ineligible expenses
- See official program guidance
How to apply
-
1
Pass the eligibility check
Yes/no gate questions on the Pitch Black site.
~20 min
-
2
Submit the application and documents
Behind the eligibility form; due November 2, 2026.
~5 hrs
-
3
Pitching rounds
Three community-judge preliminary rounds (January to February 2027), then a live finale June 12, 2027.
~20 hrs
The eligibility gate asks whether your business is under five years old, so confirm that and your state before starting.
Deadline & timing
"Prepare and submit your application and all relevant documents by November 2, 2026. Applications open September 8, 2026." Three community-judge preliminary rounds run January to February 2027; a panel picks 5 finalists; live pitch finale June 12, 2027. The eligibility gate asks whether the business is less than 5 years old. AI policy not stated.
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Required documents
- Application and relevant documents (behind the eligibility form)
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