The entrepreneurial spirit is thriving in Wake Forest, and nowhere is that more evident than in the upcoming Wake Forest Founders (WFF) Pitch Competition. On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:30 PM, six local startups will take the stage at The Loading Dock Wake Forest to pitch their ventures in front of a live audience and panel of judges, competing for funding, mentorship, and the chance to grow their businesses in Downtown Wake Forest.
Organized by WFF, a program of the Wake Forest Business & Industry Partnership (WFBIP), in collaboration with Dr. Tim Flood of the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, the WFF Program reflects a larger, intentional effort to grow the local economy by investing in entrepreneurs. The Pitch Competition itself is an exciting collaboration between WFBIP, The Loading Dock - Wake Forest, and the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce. “The Competition gives local founders — both in the accelerator program and around the community — the opportunity to spotlight their venture, network with key stakeholders, and earn seed money to continue the good work that they’re doing or even expand their operations,” said Clark Rinehart, WFBIP Entrepreneurial Specialist. “Fall 2024’s competition, our first, was a resounding success with 80+ attendees, and we’re looking to see more founders, sponsors, and business leaders at this spring's event.”
Applications for this spring’s competition opened on Monday, April 28, and will close on Wednesday, May 7. Applicants will participate in pitch coaching and scrubs and be evaluated in four areas: business viability, impact of potential funding, strength of pitch, and Q&A performance. Six finalists will deliver a five-minute pitch, followed by a brief Q&A with judges. In addition to the competition, the evening will feature an entrepreneurial showcase of the WFF Accelerator cohort, with food and beverages available for attendees. Admission is free and open to the public with registration.
Alejandro Morales, founder of STOA Digital Solutions, is one of this year’s expected competitors. His business helps streamline operations for overwhelmed entrepreneurs through custom automation. “As a two-time immigrant with a no-nonsense approach, I built STOA to help businesses reclaim their time,” said Morales. “The WFF Program connects you with the right people and tools to truly transform your work.”
Now wrapping up its third cohort, the WFF Accelerator is a three-month intensive for up to ten scaling businesses based in Wake Forest. It includes weekend sessions, weekly coaching, and direct access to experts, legal support, and capital networks. The program’s goal is to help local entrepreneurs build resilient, scalable ventures while contributing to Wake Forest’s growing startup ecosystem.
WFF alumni Tanishia Butler, owner of Qwik Pack and Ship, participated in the first pitch competition last December and credits the experience with helping her rethink her growth strategy. “Participating in the WFF Program was a great experience both for me personally and for my business,” said Butler. “The mentorship, resources, and connections I gained gave me fresh insight into improving operations, expanding our service offerings, and building a stronger local presence.”
Looking ahead, Rinehart hopes to see the pitch competition grow from a twice-a-year event to an even more frequent opportunity. “We have so many founders in Wake Forest wanting to pitch their ventures in front of their community,” says Rinehart. “I’d also love to increase the monetary sum that we’re able to gift to winners as we grow the competition.”
Above all, the WFF Pitch Competition is a celebration of courage, creativity, and connection. “We’re still in the early stages of building a robust, well-rounded entrepreneurial ecosystem in Wake Forest,” said Rinehart, “but we have a lot to celebrate today and along the way.”
“The growth we’re seeing from these founders isn’t just about business — it’s about building something meaningful right here in Wake Forest,” said Jason Cannon, President of the WFBIP. “The WFF Accelerator and Pitch Competition are supporting that kind of impact.” The 2025 Pitch Competition is made possible through the generous support of St. John Properties, Benchmark Community Bank, The Loading Dock - Wake Forest, The Town of Wake Forest, The Cotton Company, and WFBIP.
To learn more or register to attend the Pitch Competition, visit the Wake Forest Founders Program.
