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HI-HERImpact Will Host Pitch Competition for Female Entrepreneurs in Miami this March, Now Accepting Applications

EDITOR'S NOTE: The HI-HERImpact Miami pitch competition was rescheduled and took place on April 16, 2020. Click here to learn about the winners.

MIAMI, Dec. 6, 2019 — Ford Motor Company Fund and 1863 Ventures announced that its inaugural HI-HERImpact Miami Pitch Competition will be held on March 11, 2020 at The Idea Center at Miami Dade College. The Miami Pitch Competition is open to women entrepreneurs from Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties. Finalists will compete at the ‘Shark Tank'-style competition to win funding to help scale and grow their businesses. The call for papers is now open, and proposals are being accepted online via the 1863 Ventures Pitch Competition website.

Yisel Cabrera on stage with speaker in Miami conference room in front of audience

The deadline to submit is February 21, 2020. To be considered, proposals must address three criteria: the business or social enterprise must exist to solve a real community problem; have a business model that will ultimately be sustainable; and focus on a product or service people will pay for.

"We are thrilled to bring the excitement of our Pitch Competition to Miami and to encourage South Florida women entrepreneurs," said Melissa Bradley, Managing Partner of 1863 Ventures, "We are proud to provide a platform that supports enterprising ideas from Miami's women-in-tech community."

Ford Motor Company Fund and 1863 Ventures announced the call for papers at the end of the Nov. 12 HI-HERImpact Miami Entrepreneurship Summit, an event that convened South Florida women entrepreneurs for an all-day workshop on how to start and strengthen their businesses.

The HI-HERImpact initiative, which moved to Miami from DC, is a joint venture between Ford Motor Company Fund and 1863 Ventures in recognition that women-powered businesses have valuable ripple effects on their communities. HI-HERImpact's mission is to provide female entrepreneurs with resources like educational opportunities, technical assistance, mentoring, coaching, and financial resources to support their plans to create small businesses or startups that will also make communities better places to live.

"I am proud to be part of a growing initiative that is so committed to supporting social entrepreneurs and women in tech," said Yisel Cabrera, Community Manager for Ford Motor Company Fund. "HI-HERImpact recognizes the tangible and intangible impacts that women-powered businesses have on the communities around them."

HI and HERIMPACT MIAMI text as logo

The 2020 Pitch Competition will award three winners representing emerging social enterprises with cash prizes. First place will receive $25,000, Second Place will receive $20,000, and the audience recipient will receive $5,000. Since its inception in 2018, HI-HERImpact has awarded over $200,000 to women entrepreneurs.

HI-HERImpact leadership from Ford Fund and 1863 Ventures are available for interviews. Media can request interviews through Jenny Wang: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 814-506-4597.

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About HI - HERImpact

HI - HERImpact is a joint initiative between the Ford Motor Company Fund and 1863 Ventures to help female social entrepreneurs scale their enterprises in order to increase their impact and long-term sustainability. HERImpact offers educational opportunities, technical assistance, mentoring, coaching, and financial resources, and its Entrepreneurship Summits and Pitch Competitions are designed to build community and provide investment in early and growth stage companies in the region. For more information, visit https://herimpact.net/, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter at @herimpacthq.

About Ford Motor Company Fund

As the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, Ford Fund's mission is to strengthen communities and help make people's lives better. Working with dealers and nonprofit partners in more than 60 countries, Ford Fund provides access to opportunities and resources that help people reach their full potential. Since 1949, Ford Fund has invested more than $2 billion in programs that support education, promote safe driving, enrich community life and encourage employee volunteering. For more information, visit www.fordfund.org or join us at @FordFund on Facebook and Twitter.

About 1863 Ventures

1863 Ventures accelerates new majority entrepreneurs from high potential to high growth by bridging entrepreneurship and racial equity. Our vision is to create $100B of new wealth and economic power for and by the new majority. Our work provides emerging entrepreneurs with access to money, markets and management training. We will achieve our vision through increased profitability, job creation and access to capital for our members.