PitcHER™
PitcHER™ is an annual pitch competition by AnitaB.org, put on with the goal of supporting, encouraging, and providing new funding opportunities to entrepreneurs building early-stage technology startups. This year’s competition will be held at GHC 25 in Chicago.
For the 2025 competition we are seeking applicants building emerging tech products that are committed to driving women-centered innovation. Startups may be in any industry, but they must be considered to be reshaping the future of work, the future of learning, or the future of parenting.
Apply for a Chance to Win
1st Place
$50,000
2nd Place
$30,000
3rd Place
$20,000
Requirements
Executive Team
You (the applicant) must be a part of the current executive team (e.g. the CEO or CTO). At least one member of the current and founding executive team must be a woman.
Stage
Your startup is in its early stage of development (seed); you have a minimum viable product (MVP) and are actively seeking user feedback and/or testing your product. Revenue is not required.
Funding
Your startup will have raised less than $2 million in total funding including self-funding, friends and family, angel investors, grants, etc., by the date of competition.
Location
Your startup is based in the U.S. and serves the U.S. market (although your startup may also serve international markets).
Selection Criteria
Finalists will be selected based on Innovation, Impact, and Return of Capital.
Innovation
Your startup is building a new and innovative tech product that is reshaping the future of work, the future of learning, or the future of parenting. You can clearly demonstrate what is new or innovative about your tech product or service.
Impact
Your startup clearly demonstrates that women have been considered in the design of your product or service and provides compelling evidence that your product or service will have an impact that aligns with your startup's vision
Return of Capital
Your startup is “venture-scalable" and provides compelling evidence that it is positioned to be profitable enough to reward investors for risk; there is potential to grow into a billion-dollar venture with the current team and market strategy.
Meet Our Past Winners
FIRST PLACE
Shelley Gupta
Founder & CEO of BāKIT Box
SECOND PLACE
Megan Lancaster
Founder & CEO of Ellavate Wagon
THIRD PLACE
Corinne Vargas
Founder & CEO of SMARTCharts
AUDIENCE FAVORITE
Yamini Sagar
Founder & CEO of Instarails
Everything You Need to Know
The eligibility criteria to apply to be a part of the annual AnitaB.org PitcHER™ competition are outlined on this page for your Executive Team, Stage, Funding, and Location. This competition is sector agnostic; we welcome all entrepreneurs who are leading early-stage technology startups and who meet the listed criteria to apply.
Applications will be reviewed against the criteria outlined on this page including Innovation, Impact, and Return of Capital.
All applicants will be notified of decisions via email; finalist decisions will be announced to the public prior to GHC 25.
Finalists will be required to submit a final pitch deck that will be utilized at the PitcHER™ competition at GHC 25.
Finalists will be judged on their overall content and presentation. Judging criteria will be aligned to the application criteria. Applicants will be provided with a copy of the judging criteria upon reaching the semifinalist stage.