Unity Pitch Voting
Unity Week Pitch, brought to you by WBENC in partnership with PepsiCo, is a multi-round elevator pitch competition and special edition of WBENCPitch.

We asked certified women-owned businesses across the NBIC network to send us their best 60-second video of their company’s elevator pitch. Over 100 businesses applied! The Video Showcase is open for voting until 8 pm tonight!

Congratulations to the 11 WBES in our WBEC-East network who made the list!
The City of Philadelphia invites and encourages you to be part of its continued evolution, history, and prosperity by investing in our federal opportunity zones. We are seeking active and enthusiastic partnership with investors, developers, and residents in the revitalization of our underserved neighborhoods. This presents an opportunity to integrate yourself into the cultural and financial DNA of one of the world’s leading major cities, while further facilitating the growth of our diverse and often unsupported cultural communities. 

Investment in Philadelphia’s Opportunity Zones offers a prime opportunity to do well by doing good, whether you’re looking for a promising and socially responsible investment vehicle, a developer who is ready to put shovels in the ground, or just a proud Philadelphian looking to “leave it better than you found it”, we are here to answer all questions and make the process of partnering with our city as seamless as possible. We look forward to working with you! 
Upcoming JumpStart Workshops:
The Business Plan - November 5
Sound business planning is an essential ingredient for success. We'll show you how to start writing yours.
Business Launch - November 12
We'll help you understand the tricky legal, insurance and licensing aspects so you can launch your business with confidence.
The PA 30 Day Fund has informed the Commerce Department that it has funding available and will
prioritize eligible businesses that were victims of looting and property damage due to the recent civil unrest.

Pennsylvania businesses that qualify for assistance from the Fund are:
  • Small businesses that employ three to 30 people (including family members & part-timers);
  • Based in Pennsylvania and have been operating for at least one year;
  • Owned and operated by a Pennsylvania resident.
  • Structured as a for-profit business

We encourage impacted businesses to apply ASAP. The 30 Day Fund selection committee meets weekly, so the sooner you submit your application, the sooner you will hear from them. 
WBEC-East Webinars
Reaching Your Own Finish Line
November 5, 2 - 3:15 pm

Have you wondered how entrepreneurship will impact your retirement plan?

Join us for this webinar to learn how to plan for your finish line, and what will happen to the business when you finally reach your retirement!

Led by an attorney, a financial planner, and a pension professional, this webinar will discuss the many considerations that go into retirement planning for women business owners, including retirement plans for women-owned businesses of all sizes, how diversity certification can impact succession planning, and the legal and financial questions to consider along the way.
Partner Events
NBIC Unity Week
Coalition of National Diverse Business Organizations
Nov 16-19, 2020

Uniting the nation’s leading business diversity organizations, the 2020 NBIC Unity Week is a celebration of diversity, opportunity, equity, and collaboration. Attendees will receive access to exclusive dayside programming focused on building unprecedented success for diverse communities in the United States, and around the globe.

Only companies achieving industry-leading results across all diverse segments are eligible to receive the prestigious Best-of-the-Best designation from the National Business Inclusion Consortium (NBIC), a coalition of national diverse business organizations spearheaded by NGLCC and including Disability:IN, National Minority Supplier Development Council, National Veteran-Owned Business Association, United States Black Chambers, Inc., United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, United States Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce, WEConnect International, Women Impacting Public Policy, and Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.
Next Gen Connect
WBENC
Nov 13, 2 - 3 PM
Dec 11, 2 - 3 PM

NextGen Connect is exclusive programming for women millennial and gen Z entrepreneurs to engage with one another in intimate, peer to peer breakout sessions as well as hear from corporate professionals.

Join our monthly NextGen Connect series to listen, share what’s on your mind, and collaborate with women business owners from across the country. Invite a fellow entrepreneur and enjoy good conversation and great company.

Among the topics to be discussed are leadership, essential marketing practices, adapting to the current climate, corporate must-haves, and more! This program is open to both certified and non-certified women business owners.
Highmark Health Virtual Small Diverse Business Forum
Highmark Health
Nov 12, 10 am - 5 pm

You are invited to attend Highmark Health’s 2020 Virtual Small Diverse Business Forum, a virtual matchmaking and supplier development event with our enterprise-wide procurement teams. This annual event is a networking opportunity connecting diverse suppliers to sourcing opportunities within the Highmark Health enterprise.

The event will feature a nationally recognized diversity and inclusion thought-leader and top entrepreneur as well as several breakout sessions that will allow diverse suppliers to meet as a group to understand Highmark Health’s procurement needs and protocols. Registered suppliers will also have an opportunity to set up one-on-one appointments.

If you feel that your business can meet our needs – and you are prepared to demonstrate your capabilities please join us on November 12, 2020.