On Friday, July 17, 2026, four American small businesses will gather at the Antique Loft in Hoboken, NJ to compete in the finals of Verizon’s Small Business Super Pitch. The event, held just days before the FIFA World Cup 2026™ final, showcases the resilience and impact of small businesses across the nation. The competition, which began with over 500 submissions, narrowed to 20 semifinalists before selecting four finalists who will pitch to a panel of expert judges, including two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup™ champion Carli Lloyd.
The finalists are: The Balm Box (Overland Park, KS), founded by six-time cancer survivor Liz Benditt, which provides research-backed care packages for cancer patients; House of Perna (Delray Beach, FL), a fashion house by Amanda Perna focusing on sustainable, bold-print clothing; TWB Tours (Seattle, WA), a tour company by Marlie and Anthony Love highlighting local culture and small businesses; and Renewed Focus (New York, NY), a therapy practice by Melissa Robinson-Brown dedicated to women’s mental health. Each finalist will deliver a pitch for a chance to win cash prizes and receive two tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final.
Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready platform, which has already helped over 600,000 business owners since 2020, provides free resources including online courses, coaching, and networking. The program aims to support 1 million small businesses by 2030. Donna Epps, Chief Responsible Business Officer for Verizon, emphasized the opportunity that major events like the World Cup create for small businesses and Verizon’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs. All finalists will also receive expert mentorship on using artificial intelligence to grow their businesses.
Carli Lloyd praised Verizon’s efforts, stating, “Succeeding as a small business is like soccer. It takes daily hard work and the right coaching.” The competition is open to the public, and RSVPs can be made at the event page. For more information on the competition and to register for Small Business Digital Ready, visit Verizon’s Small Business Program page.
