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(Photo credit: Godfrey Mead, Miami-Dade County)
The Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT) proudly announces the winners of the Pitch Fest 2025: Dream. Pitch. Prosper! competition, where the top entrepreneurs in Miami-Dade competed for a share of $30,000 in funding and access to exclusive business resources.
This year’s competition was especially significant as it kicked off Women’s History Month, with women entrepreneurs dominating the stage.
Winners include:
• First place, $15,000, Dr. Amber Williams, Upright Spine Center
• Second Place, $10,000, Arias Austin, SluttyIcee’s Inc.
• Third Place, $5,000, Nicole Bronson, Anointed Florist and Gift Shop LLC
Pitch Fest 2025 is a groundbreaking competition designed to empower and celebrate the brilliance of Miami-Dade’s small business community. For the first time in 2025, MDEAT has created a platform where established businesses can secure funding, gain visibility, and build valuable connections. This event provided finalists with a chance to present their innovative ideas, refine their strategies, and connect with key industry leaders.
With March’s celebration of Women’s History Month, it’s important to note that all three of the top prizes were awarded to Black women business owners — a powerful reflection of the growing influence and success of women-led businesses in Miami-Dade County. In addition, women made up the majority of the semi-finalists, taking full advantage of the opportunity to showcase their businesses and compete for much-needed funding and exposure.
Pitch Fest 2025 is more than just a competition — it is a celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact. This event is designed to empower small businesses, helping them refine their strategies, secure critical funding, and build networks that can fuel their growth. Small businesses are the driving force of Miami-Dade’s economy, and Pitch Fest is a platform for them to showcase their impact and potential to create jobs, solve real-world problems, and contribute to the economic vitality of the region.
This year’s competition was also notable for its first-ever format, which combined live pitches with an engaging networking and educational component. MDEAT looks forward to bringing Pitch Fest back in 2026 and continuing to support Miami-Dade’s entrepreneurs through future programs and resources.
After a rigorous screening process, the top 10 finalists took the stage, presenting their businesses for 5-7 minutes, followed by a rapid-fire Q&A with a panel of esteemed judges:
• • Eric Knowles, president and CEO, Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce;
• • Connie Kinnard, senior vice president, Multicultural Tourism & Development, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, and
• Hilmon Sorey, co-founder, The Source Groups.
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