In a landmark move to support diverse and underrepresented entrepreneurs, the Eosera® Foundation has announced that its annual pitch competition will be expanding nationwide. This development will open the competition to entrepreneurs across the United States, allowing more innovators to compete for funding, mentorship, and the chance to propel their businesses forward. This strategic expansion aligns with the foundation’s ongoing efforts to drive inclusion and diversity within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, focusing particularly on women and minority-led startups in healthcare, technology, and consumer goods sectors.
A Major Step Toward National Access for Entrepreneurs
The Eosera® Foundation Pitch Competition has been a regional initiative in previous years, largely centered in North Texas. For 2025, the competition has now broadened its reach, welcoming entrepreneurs from all 50 states to apply. This nationwide expansion is a significant step forward, as it addresses the critical need for wider access to entrepreneurial resources and networks for founders who may not have had the same access to capital and mentorship opportunities.
Dr. Elyse Dickerson, CEO and co-founder of Eosera, shared her enthusiasm about the expansion, stating, “We believe in giving entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds a platform to showcase their innovations. By scaling this competition nationally, we are providing an even larger pool of passionate entrepreneurs with the opportunity to turn their ideas into impactful businesses.”
Supporting Women Entrepreneurs: Bridging the Capital Gap
One of the primary reasons for this national expansion is to better support women entrepreneurs, who often face unique challenges when seeking funding. According to a report by the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC), women are still significantly underrepresented in the startup funding landscape. The Eosera® Foundation’s move to make the competition available nationwide is particularly significant for women, especially women of color, who continue to face a tougher path to securing venture capital compared to their male counterparts.
The competition aims to address these disparities by offering a platform where women entrepreneurs can present their ideas to a wide range of investors, many of whom are looking to support the next generation of diverse leaders in business. As part of the foundation’s broader mission, winners of the pitch competition will receive not just financial support, but also access to expert advice, mentorship, and the potential for investor funding.
The Benefits: Mentorship, Networking, and Exposure
In addition to the financial backing, the foundation’s pitch competition is designed to give winners comprehensive support. Mentorship is a cornerstone of the program. Entrepreneurs often cite mentorship as one of the most valuable components in their entrepreneurial journeys. The competition connects entrepreneurs with industry experts and investors who offer guidance on everything from scaling operations to refining marketing strategies.
Mentorship also provides networking opportunities, allowing entrepreneurs to build relationships with potential clients, investors, and collaborators. These networks can be crucial in navigating the challenges of launching and growing a business. Through this exposure, entrepreneurs also gain credibility and visibility in a crowded market, which can be pivotal to attracting future investment.
For the first time, the competition will be open to healthcare startups, an area of growing interest, particularly given the advancements in telehealth, personalized medicine, and health-tech innovations. Eosera® itself is a leader in the healthcare space, and its foundation is well-positioned to support ventures focused on improving public health and wellness.
How to Apply: Opening the Door to National Entrepreneurs
Applications for the 2025 Eosera® Foundation Pitch Competition officially opened on July 8, 2025, and entrepreneurs have until the end of the month to apply. Startups at various stages of growth are encouraged to submit their business plans, which will be reviewed by a panel of judges consisting of successful entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and industry leaders.
The competition’s winner will receive a significant cash prize, along with access to resources designed to elevate their business to the next level. Most importantly, the competition is set to provide a nationwide platform, giving entrepreneurs visibility on a scale they might not have been able to achieve otherwise.
