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 at the Antique Loft in Hoboken, NJ. The competition, which began with over 500 submissions, aims to showcase the resilience and impact of small businesses across the nation.
The finalists, selected from 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 led by Amanda Perna; TWB Tours (Seattle, WA), a tour company highlighting local culture and small businesses; and Renewed Focus (New York, NY), a therapy practice for women led by Melissa Robinson-Brown.
Donna Epps, Chief Responsible Business Officer for Verizon, emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses during large cultural events like the FIFA World Cup 2026. Verizon provides free resources through its Small Business Digital Ready platform, which offers online courses, coaching, and networking opportunities.
The finalists will pitch to a panel of judges, including two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion Carli Lloyd. Lloyd noted the parallels between succeeding in business and soccer, stating, 'It takes daily hard work and the right coaching.' All finalists will receive two tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final, cash prizes, and mentorship on using artificial intelligence in their businesses.
Verizon's Small Business Digital Ready program, which has already helped over 600,000 business owners since 2020, aims to support 1 million small businesses 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 on July 17 is open to the public; RSVP is available at this link. For more information on the competition and to register for Small Business Digital Ready, visit the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready website.
