Rules and Regulations

By submitting your application and video, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the following Pathway to Opportunity Rules and Regulations:

Participation Criteria

• The participant must be the owner or operator, owning at least 51% of the business.
• The participant must be engaged throughout the entire process—no transferring or sharing pitch participation.
• The participant must use the same email address throughout the entire process, and it should be the business email.
• The participant must pitch an existing business solution that is currently operational, not a future endeavor in need of investment.
• Pitches must not exceed three (3) minutes in the live virtual finals.
• Participants agree to be available for all mandatory sessions; exceptions will be determined solely by Pathway to Opportunities administrators.
• If selected as one of the top thirty finalists, participants will be notified of next steps and requirements. Failure to fulfill the required steps will result in disqualification.
• Participants acknowledge that all times are communicated in Pacific Standard Time (PST) and must convert to their own time zones accordingly.
• The live pitch will be held on our online virtual platform. Attendance at a training session is required (time slots will be made available to all top thirty finalists). Failure to select and attend a time slot will result in disqualification.
• By participating in the Pathway to Opportunity competition, business owners give permission for pitch videos and recordings of live pitch sessions to be used for marketing purposes.

General Competition Information

• Participants are not required to use the full three (3) minutes but will not be permitted to exceed this time.
• Each finalist will be assigned a Corporate Mentor who will provide feedback and coaching. Upon assignment, it is the participant’s responsibility to schedule at least two sessions with the mentor and arrive on time, prepared.
• No slides, screen sharing, video, or audio-visual support will be permitted. No personal backgrounds may be used in the competition.
• If you provide a product, you may use props, samples, or product demonstrations during your pitch—provided that the object can be held or displayed within the allotted three (3) minutes and does not interfere with technology use.
• All recordings, including the live pitch, are the sole property of Pathway to Opportunity and may be used in any form or medium, including distribution of archived recordings.
• The live presentation will be judged by various corporate representatives from WBEC-West Corporate Member companies and sponsor organizations. Judges will engage in a short Q&A session with participants immediately following their pitch.
• The online live pitch event is open to a public audience. When the time comes, we encourage participants to invite clients, family, and friends.
• Corporate and government entities may use participant-provided information to explore potential business opportunities.
• A list of the top thirty finalists will be shared with corporate judges and mentors at the conclusion of the competition.
• Pathway to Opportunity does not guarantee that participants will be awarded a contract or secure new business.

Prize Awards:

• Third Place: $1,250
• Second Place: $2,500
• Grand Prize Winner: $5,000

Pathway to Opportunity reserves the right to disqualify participants who fail to meet required deadlines, rules, and regulations.

When a decision is required, Pathway to Opportunity will serve as the final authority.

Mandatory Tech Check / Competition Prep Session

• If selected as a top thirty finalist, participants must provide additional documentation (such as an I-9 or other business verification). Failure to comply by the specified deadline will result in disqualification.
• Finalists are required to attend a technical check and mentor meet-and-greet (dates will be provided upon selection). In some cases, multiple dates will be available. Failure to select and attend a session will result in disqualification.
• The Pathway to Opportunity team will notify participants via email if they are disqualified at any point during the competition.