Verizon to Host Small Business Super Pitch Finals Alongside FIFA World Cup Events

On Friday, July 17, 2026, just days before the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, four American small businesses will face off in Verizon's Small Business Super Pitch competition at the Antique Loft in Hoboken, New Jersey. The event aims to showcase the resilience and impact of small businesses nationwide, with finalists selected from over 500 initial submissions and four regional rounds.

The four finalists are The Balm Box (Overland Park, Kansas), House of Perna (Delray Beach, Florida), TWB Tours (Seattle, Washington), and Renewed Focus (New York, New York). Each business has a unique story: The Balm Box, founded by six-time cancer survivor Liz Benditt, ships care packages for cancer patients; House of Perna, led by fashion designer Amanda Perna, focuses on sustainable bold-print clothing; TWB Tours offers cultural tours highlighting local businesses; and Renewed Focus, led by Melissa Robinson-Brown, provides therapy for women.

Verizon's Small Business Digital Ready program provides free resources including online courses, coaching, and networking, which the finalists used to refine their pitches. Donna Epps, Chief Responsible Business Officer for Verizon, emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses during major cultural events like the FIFA World Cup. The finalists will pitch to a panel including two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion Carli Lloyd, who noted the parallels between succeeding in business and soccer.

All finalists receive two tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, cash prizes, and mentorship on using artificial intelligence. Verizon's Digital Ready platform, launched in 2020, has already helped over 600,000 business owners, with a goal to reach 1 million by 2030. Participants also received pitch coaching from Precious Williams, founder of the Perfect Pitch Group and a "Shark Tank" participant.

To RSVP for the event, 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.