Join our alumni of 32 past entrepreneurs at 8 past dinners and have the opportunity to pitch in front of an audience of Durham community members for $1,500+ grant!
Your proposal to pitch can be about anything but your venture should be just an idea / early-stage. Past presentations have spanned art, urban agriculture, social justice, social entrepreneurs, education, technology, and more. The only rule is that the idea must incorporate Durham.Your application will be evaluated based on whether you are an early-stage entrepreneur, feasibility of your project, and potential social impact.
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Pitching your idea successfully can be the difference between a promising idea and securing the necessary funding or partnerships for its realization. We help teach entrepreneurs to communicate their vision, mission, and value proposition clearly and persuasively to potential investors, partners, or customers. Furthermore, pitch training cultivates confidence and poise in entrepreneurs, enabling them to confidently navigate high-stakes presentations and conversations. It is an essential part of the entrepreneurial toolkit, bridging the gap between innovative ideas and their successful implementation in the marketplace.
Durham Community Incubator is committed to the mission of promoting community-based development through crowdfunding, creativity, collaboration, democracy, trust and fun. We will award all the funding raised at the event to whichever entrepreneur receives the most votes at the event. We have raised over $16,000 for our entrepreneurs since the beginning of Durham SOUP.
We are working on developing mentorship programs for entrepreneurs after the dinner to build upon the wisdom of experienced individuals who can offer advice on strategy, decision-making, and problem-solving. Access to networks and communities of like-minded peers enables entrepreneurs to learn from one another, share experiences, and explore collaborative opportunities. With the help of our partner, American Underground, we aim to connect entrepreneurs to business development resources such as workshops and training programs, equip entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge needed to scale their operations and adapt to changing market dynamics.
The transformative power of grants in the world of entrepreneurship cannot be overstated. Even a micro-grant as small as $2,000 not only provides the financial backing necessary to kickstart a venture, but also serves as a vote of confidence in the innovative ideas and dedication of the individuals behind them. As a result, we have seen countless success stories emerge from past DCI dinners. Entrepreneurs who have received grants often leverage these resources to develop groundbreaking products, scale their operations, create jobs, and make a significant impact on their industries and communities.
Fill out the short application below to apply to our next event. Join other local entrepeneurs who have won thousands of dollars from DCI events!
