August 25, 2017
This event connects the region’s growing entrepreneurial, funding, and mentor community with the increasing number of African-American founders. In the Business for a Better Portland monthly call to action, PitchBlack founder Stephen Green (@PDXStepheng) states, “ I realized a few years ago that while Portland’s startup ecosystem was growing it was doing so without representation of the group of black founders emerging inside it. This event is about building community and changing perspectives.”
Green notes that the point behind the event is not to find the most groundbreaking ideas but to plant seeds in the PDX startup community and inspire those who historically have had the least support.
Ten entrepreneurs will get five minutes to pitch the audience, followed by three minutes of questions about their idea. Attendees vote for three winners who split the prize money (the funds raised from the ticket sales). Tickets cost $22 and are available through Eventbrite.
WHEN
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM PDT
LOCATION
Instrument HQ
3529 N. Williams Ave
Portland, OR 97227
Hashtags for the event: #PitchBlackPDX #CheatBlack #ReturnOfTheBlack #IGot99ProblemsButAPitchAintOne
Portland tech companies have joined the Diversity & Inclusion Pledge since its initial launch in 2015.