MEDIA ADVISORY
LONG BEACH, CA [March 24, 2026] — Entrepreneurs, innovators, and community leaders will gather in Downtown Long Beach for PitchFest, the culminating event of The Entrepreneur and Small Business Education Series, a collaborative initiative led by the Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DTLB Alliance), California State University, Long Beach’s (CSULB) Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Wells Fargo Bank.
WHAT:
PitchFest: A competitive showcase, similar to the popular TV show Shark Tank, where participants present their ideas. Judges will evaluate pitches and award funding to selected winners.
WHEN:
Saturday, March 28, 2026
9 AM – 12 PM
WHERE:
Studio One Eleven
245 E. 3rd St.
Long Beach, CA 90802
WHO:
Local entrepreneurs and small business owners who participated in the 7-week Education Series will pitch their ideas and funding proposals to a panel of judges.
Judges representing leading organizations, including:
- Wells Fargo
- CSULB’s The Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- City of Long Beach
- DTLB Alliance
DETAILS:
Participants who attended the 7-week Education Series will pitch their ideas and proposed funding needs in front of a panel of judges, who will score presentations based on innovation, feasibility, and community impact. Funding will be awarded to top-performing pitches across two tracks.
Track 1: DTLB Existing Businesses — $10,000 Total Awards
This track is designed for established Downtown Long Beach businesses that have actively participated in the program’s workshops. Participants will present funding proposals focused on one-time investments that strengthen or stabilize their businesses, such as equipment upgrades or physical improvements.
Track 2: Existing Businesses in Long Beach (Outside DTLB) — $5,000 Total Awards
This track supports a broader group of entrepreneurs, including existing Long Beach businesses outside of Downtown and new ventures. Participants will pitch ideas for one-time investments that help move their business forward or enhance long-term viability. A total of $5,000 in funding will be awarded.
For more information on The Education Series, click here.
RSVP:
For more information or to RSVP for media coverage, please contact AsiaM@dtlb.org.
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About: The Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DTLB Alliance) is a nonprofit, community-based organization whose mission is to cultivate, preserve and promote a healthy, safe, and prosperous Downtown. The DTLB Alliance is recognized as the voice of Downtown Long Beach by the City of Long Beach and the State of California. By balancing the interests of the residents, as well as businesses, the organization creates tangible progress by way of vested interest and solidified partnerships across local, municipal, and commercial lines. For additional information, visit www.downtownlongbeach.org and follow on Facebook @downtownlongbeach, on “X” (formerly Twitter) @dtlballiance and Instagram @dtlballiance.