On Friday, July 17, 2026, four American small businesses will compete in the finals of Verizon’s Small Business Super Pitch at the Antique Loft in Hoboken, NJ, just days before the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. The competition showcases the resilience and impact of small businesses nationwide, with finalists selected from over 500 submissions and four regional rounds.
The finalists are The Balm Box (Overland Park, KS), founded by six-time cancer survivor Liz Benditt, which ships research-backed care packages for cancer patients; House of Perna (Delray Beach, FL), a sustainable fashion house led by Amanda Perna; TWB Tours (Seattle, WA), a tour company offering local cultural experiences; and Renewed Focus (New York, NY), a therapy practice for women led by Melissa Robinson-Brown.
“Big cultural events like the FIFA World Cup 2026 offer unparalleled opportunities for small businesses to gain widespread visibility and thrive,” said Donna Epps, Chief Responsible Business Officer for Verizon. “Verizon is proud to support these essential community anchors through Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, which provides free resources—including online courses, coaching, funding, and networking—to help entrepreneurs succeed.”
In the initial phase, business owners posted videos on social media about using Verizon Small Business Digital Ready to improve their pitches. Twenty semifinalists competed in FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities, and now the final four will pitch to a panel including two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Carli Lloyd. All finalists receive two tickets to the World Cup final, and winners will get cash prizes and mentorship on using artificial intelligence.
“Succeeding as a small business is like soccer. It takes daily hard work and the right coaching,” said Lloyd. “Whether it is a youth soccer clinic, or the local coffee shop, it’s the small businesses that keep our communities running.”
Verizon’s investment extends beyond the competition. The Small Business Digital Ready program, available to all U.S. small businesses regardless of Verizon customer status, has helped over 600,000 business owners since 2020, with a goal of supporting 1 million by 2030. Participants received pitch coaching from Precious Williams, founder of the Perfect Pitch Group and a Verizon instructor. To RSVP for the event, visit https://events.bizzabo.com/SettingthePitch.
