On Friday, July 17, 2026, just days before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final, four American small businesses will face off in Verizon's Small Business Super Pitch competition at the Antique Loft in Hoboken, New Jersey. The event highlights the resilience and community impact of small businesses, which are often overshadowed by major global events.
The finalists, selected from over 500 submissions and winners of regional rounds, include The Balm Box (Overland Park, KS), founded by six-time cancer survivor Liz Benditt, which ships care packages for cancer patients; House of Perna (Delray Beach, FL), a sustainable fashion house by Amanda Perna; TWB Tours (Seattle, WA), a community-focused tour company by Marlie and Anthony Love; and Renewed Focus (New York, NY), a therapy practice by Melissa Robinson-Brown serving women.
“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. The competition is part of Verizon's broader initiative, Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, which provides free resources including online courses, coaching, and networking to help entrepreneurs succeed.
The finalists will pitch to a panel including two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion Carli Lloyd, who noted, “Succeeding as a small business is like soccer. It takes daily hard work and the right coaching.” All finalists receive two tickets to the World Cup Final, cash prizes, and mentorship on using artificial intelligence in their businesses.
Verizon's investment extends beyond the competition. The Digital Ready program, free to all U.S. small businesses regardless of Verizon customer status, has already helped over 600,000 business owners since 2020, aiming to support 1 million by 2030. Participants in the Super Pitch received guidance from Precious Williams, Founder and CEO of the Perfect Pitch Group and a "Shark Tank" participant.
The event underscores the importance of small businesses as community anchors and their potential to leverage major events for growth. With the World Cup drawing global attention, the competition offers a platform for these entrepreneurs to showcase their ventures.
