Women business owners aspiring to grow their small businesses can vie for a $15,000 prize by participating in BankUnited’s Small Business, Big Dreams: Women in Business Challenge. The challenge concludes during the yearly assembly of women business leaders, owners and future entrepreneurs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale West Hotel in Plantation.
Held in October to coincide with National Women’s Small Business Month, the Women in Business summit comprises a morning of uplifting speeches, practical advice and networking opportunities. The event culminates in a live pitch event showcasing the finalists of the small business challenge.
“At BankUnited, we are committed to fostering relationships that help business owners succeed,” says Lisa Shim, BankUnited Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Technology and Innovation. “Each year, we gather established and up-and-coming women business leaders and small business owners to hear from some of the region’s most successful women in business, who generously share their insights about achieving success, overcoming challenges and leveraging support networks to benefit their businesses and communities.”
The Summit will showcase a keynote address delivered by the award-winning business leader, global influencer, and author Ann Marie Sorrell, CEO of The Mosaic Group. Additionally, a panel discussion moderated by Shim will include Germaine Smith-Baugh, president and CEO of the Urban League of Broward County; the restaurateur Danielle Rosse; Francy Rueda, senior loan program manager at Miami Bayside Foundation; and last year’s winner of the Small Business, Big Dreams Challenge, Sydney Hughes, founder and CEO of Senior Proof.
The summit encourages women small business owners to complete an application, which includes a video-recorded three-minute pitch addressing how their business would benefit from the $15,000 grand prize. Ten semi-finalists will be selected and able to present before a panel of judges at the live event in October. Cash prizes will be awarded to the grand prize winner ($15,000), first runner-up ($5,000) and second runner-up ($2,500).
For official contest rules and entry forms, please visit https://www.bankunited.com/small-business/small-business-big-dreams-challenge.
Tickets to the summit are $25 per person, which covers a continental breakfast and a grab-and-go lunch. Attendees must register in advance. For more information and to register, please visit https://www.eventcreate.com/e/small-business-big-dreams-women-in-business-summit-2024.
