On Friday, July 17, 2026, four American small businesses will gather at the Antique Loft in Hoboken, NJ to compete in the finals of Verizon’s Small Business Super Pitch, a nationwide competition that underscores the vital role of small businesses in communities. The event takes place just days before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final, leveraging the global spotlight to showcase entrepreneurial grit.
The finalists, selected from over 500 submissions and winners of regional rounds, include 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 sustainable fashion house by designer Amanda Perna; TWB Tours (Seattle, WA), a Pacific Northwest tour company highlighting local culture and small businesses; and Renewed Focus (New York, NY), a therapy practice led by Melissa Robinson-Brown focusing on women’s mental health.
Donna Epps, Chief Responsible Business Officer for Verizon, emphasized the importance of such events: “Big cultural events like the FIFA World Cup 2026 offer unparalleled opportunities for small businesses to gain widespread visibility and thrive.” Verizon supports entrepreneurs through the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready platform, which provides free resources including online courses, coaching, and networking.
The finalists will pitch to a panel including two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Carli Lloyd, who stated, “Succeeding as a small business is like soccer. It takes daily hard work and the right coaching.” All finalists receive two tickets to the World Cup Final and mentorship in using artificial intelligence for business growth.
Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready program, which has already helped over 600,000 business owners since 2020, aims to support 1 million by 2030. Participants in the Super Pitch received guidance from Precious Williams, founder of the Perfect Pitch Group and a successful Shark Tank participant. The event is open for attendance via RSVP.
