Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year® Town Hall

Military Entrepreneur Challenge

This Military Entrepreneur Challenge is exclusively for MSOY winners, current and alumni. We want to help elevate your small business or nonprofit by training how to pitch your business, and giving you the opportunity to compete for social-impact and early-stage capital grants.

Military Entrepreneur Challenge

Participate in our Pitch Competition for social-impact and early-stage capital grants for your small business or nonprofit organization.

Professional Development Training

Elevate your small business, nonprofit organization , or advocacy work with our "How to Pitch: Improving your Presence and Impact" Professional Development Training and Breakout Sessions

Military Spouse of the Year Luncheon

The top three finalists for the Military Entrepreneur Challenge will attend the Military Spouse of the Year Luncheon where the overall winner will be announced

Second Service Foundation

Military Entrepreneur Challenge

The Second Service Foundation hosts the Military Entrepreneur Challenge, a multi-part event that includes business coaching, one-on-one professional development, and a pitch competition. Applicants for the pitch competition have the opportunity to be selected as one of nine semi-finalists who will receive a minimum $1,000 capital grant for their small business or nonprofit. The overall winner receives an additional $1,000 grant, $5,000 PR package from the Second Service Foundation, and $25,000 of in-kind legal services from Holland & Knight LLP. 

Join us for the Military Entrepreneur Challenge

Schedule of Events

Applications for the exclusive Military Entrepreneur Challenge Pitch Competition at the Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year® Town Hall​ ​open on Friday, March 31, 2023 – April 21, 2023. You must apply in advance to be considered for the nine semi-finalists at the Military Spouse of the Year® Town Hall.

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Semi-finalists pitch competition

Nine Semi-Finalists Compete in Round 1 of Pitch Competition 

  • The nine selected semi-finalists will share their two-minute pitch about their business or nonprofit and its impact on the military community to a panel of Second Service Foundation judges. 

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm - HOW TO PITCH Training

“How to Pitch: Improving your Presence and Impact Professional Development Training  

  • Participants will attend a breakout session where they will refine their personal business or nonprofit pitch with experienced business coaches, receiving live feedback. You must attend the “How to Pitch” training to be eligible to participate in the pitch competition.

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

2:00 pm - 3:15 pm - Town Hall Pitch Competition

Pitch Competition Round 2nd & Award Presentation

 

  • The Top 3 Finalists will be announced and then pitch on the spot, giving a two-minute pitch on who they are, their platform and purpose, and why they deserve funding. The live audience votes for the overall winner.
  • Award Presentation for the Six Semi-Finalists will be presented $1,000 grant Overall winner receives an additional $1,000 grant, $5,000 PR package from the Second Service Foundation, and $25,000 of in-kind legal services from Holland & Knight LLP.

Thursday, May 11, 2023

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm- Military Spouse of the Year Luncheon
Pitch Competition Winner Announcement

The winner of the Military Entrepreneur Challenge will be announced during the Military Spouse of the Year Luncheon.

You must be able to attend the luncheon if selected as one of the three pitch competition Finalists.

The overall winner receives an additional $1,000 grant, $5,000 PR package from the Second Service Foundation, and $25,000 of in-kind legal services from Holland & Knight LLP.

We are excited to bring this opportunity exclusively to the Military Spouse of the Year Class of 2023 and Alumni.

Check out our additional resources for more information about the Military Entrepreneur Challenge and to prepare for the pitch competition.