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If you’ve ever wondered what happens when corporate philanthropy, local hustle, and hip-hop royalty collide welcome to PowerPitch South Florida, where the energy was loud, the dreams were big, and the checks were very real.
About 150 people packed into the Urban League of Broward County for the “Shark Tank”-style showdown hosted by PMI U.S. (Phillip Morris International) and ULBC (Urban League of Broward County,) a collaboration designed to boost regional economic development and put real power (and actual dollars) behind small businesses trying to level up.
And honestly? The crowd got a show.
Tech innovators, sneaker creators, and healthcare disruptors hit the stage with polished PowerPoints sharp enough to cut glass, pitching to a judging panel that included PMI’s own Moyer McCoy, head of social impact, checkbook in hand plus celebrity judges and rap legends Luke “Uncle Luke” Campbell and Rick Ross, who instantly doubled the wattage in the room just by sitting down.
But in a night full of talent, one company walked away with the crown and the big $25,000 check: Kushae, a natural feminine-care line founded by CEO Kimba Williams.
“I’m going to Disneyland!” Williams shouted as the room erupted. She added, “Feminine care has been underserved, and we are here to change that.” And judging by the crowd’s reaction, South Florida is more than ready for that change.
Second place, and a very respectable $10,000, went to Show Agent, an app reshaping how real estate connects. In third, Next of Kin secured $5,000 for its life-organizing app, proving that even paperwork can be pitch-worthy.
For PMI U.S., the night wasn’t just about competition, it was about community.
“The Urban League of Broward County is a quintessential partner in our mission to put pragmatic philanthropy in action here in South Florida,” said PMI’s Moyer McCoy. “By opening doors to capital and connection, our partnership with ULBC will help local entrepreneurs turn ideas into lasting community impact….When community, innovation and opportunity come together, real and lasting change isn’t just possible, it’s inevitable.”
Audience members echoed that sentiment, many saying they left inspired by seeing everyday professionals get the kind of boost that can rewrite a company’s future.
Dr. Germaine Smith Baugh, president and CEO of ULBC, summed it up beautifully: “By investing in our neighbors, PMI U.S. is helping small business owners do what they do best: build, create, and keep our community strong. At a time when running a business can be tougher than ever, this support gives local entrepreneurs the tools and confidence to grow.”
The high-energy event showcased just one slice of PMI U.S.’s $400,000 commitment to the Urban League of Broward County over the next three years, a partnership already proving that when big support meets big ideas, South Florida’s small businesses can dream even bigger.
And after PowerPitch South Florida, one thing’s for sure: the future of Broward entrepreneurship is anything but small.
