On Friday, July 17, 2026, days before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final, four American small businesses will compete in Verizon's Small Business Super Pitch competition at the Antique Loft in Hoboken, NJ. The event highlights the grit and impact of entrepreneurs nationwide.
The Verizon Small Business Super Pitch is a nationwide competition to discover promising small businesses. Selected from over 500 submissions and after winning regional rounds, the finalists will deliver pitches to a panel of expert judges, including two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion Carli Lloyd. The four finalists are: The Balm Box (Overland Park, KS), founded by six-time cancer survivor Liz Benditt, which ships care packages for cancer patients; House of Perna (Delray Beach, FL), a sustainable fashion house by Amanda Perna; TWB Tours (Seattle, WA), a tour company by Marlie and Anthony Love; and Renewed Focus (New York, NY), a therapy practice by Melissa Robinson-Brown.
“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,” said Donna Epps, Chief Responsible Business Officer for Verizon.
In the initial phase, business owners posted videos on social media about using resources from Verizon Small Business Digital Ready to improve their pitches. Twenty were selected for semifinals in World Cup host cities. The final four will compete for cash prizes and receive two tickets to the World Cup Final.
“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,” said Lloyd.
All finalists will receive expert mentorship in using artificial intelligence in their business. Verizon's Small Business Digital Ready, a free resource for all U.S. small businesses, has helped over 600,000 business owners since 2020, aiming to support 1 million by 2030. Participants received pitch 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 the Verizon program page.
