On Friday, July 17, 2026, days before the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, four American small businesses will gather at the Antique Loft in Hoboken, NJ to compete in Verizon's Small Business Super Pitch competition. The event showcases the grit and impact of everyday entrepreneurs and their vital role in communities nationwide, according to a press release from Verizon.
The competition, part of Verizon's Small Business Digital Ready program, selected finalists from over 500 submissions after four regional rounds. The finalists are: The Balm Box (Overland Park, KS), founded by six-time cancer survivor Liz Benditt, which ships care packages for cancer patients; House of Perna (Delray Beach, FL), a sustainable fashion house by Amanda Perna; TWB Tours (Seattle, WA), a tour company by Marlie and Anthony Love highlighting local culture and small businesses; and Renewed Focus (New York, NY), a therapy practice by Melissa Robinson-Brown focusing on women's mental health.
Donna Epps, Verizon's Chief Responsible Business Officer, stated, "Big cultural events like the FIFA World Cup 2026 offer unparalleled opportunities for small businesses to gain widespread visibility and thrive. Verizon is proud to support these essential community anchors through Verizon Small Business Digital Ready." The program provides free resources including online courses, coaching, funding, and networking to help entrepreneurs succeed.
The finalists will pitch to a panel including two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion Carli Lloyd, who said, "Succeeding as a small business is like soccer. It takes daily hard work and the right coaching." All finalists receive two tickets to the World Cup final and mentorship on using artificial intelligence in their businesses.
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, a free resource for all U.S. small businesses regardless of Verizon customer status, has helped over 600,000 business owners since 2020, with a goal to support 1 million by 2030. Participants in the Super Pitch received guidance from Precious Williams, founder of the Perfect Pitch Group and a "Shark Tank" participant.
To RSVP for the event on July 17, visit the event page. For more information on the competition and to register for Small Business Digital Ready, visit Verizon's Small Business Program page.
