How to Pitch Your Women-Led Business at Cocktails & Connections 2025

Cocktails & Connections 2025 is offering more than networking, it’s providing a platform for women-led businesses and non-profits to gain meaningful visibility and recognition. Central to this year’s event is the Elevator Pitch, “Empowered To Empower” initiative, designed to spotlight organizations that are quietly driving impact in their communities.

Aligned with the event’s theme of honouring unsung heroes, the competition invites the public to nominate businesses or non-profits that are making measurable contributions to their communities. This is an opportunity to bring attention to enterprises that operate with purpose, yet may not always receive the recognition they deserve.

How It Works

The nomination process runs as an Instagram campaign. Followers submit nominations by tagging the organization and explaining why it deserves recognition. From these submissions, the top five nominees will be invited to deliver a 60-second live elevator pitch at the event on 29 August. One slot is specifically reserved for the Dabulamanzi Foundation, ensuring its ongoing community contributions are highlighted.

On the day of the event, the audience will vote to select one winning pitch. The winner will receive one week of advertising on Oceans Mall’s Piazza digital billboard, reaching thousands of potential customers and supporters. This approach amplifies the visibility of organizations that are making a real difference, while also engaging the broader community in identifying impactful work.

For entrepreneurs and non-profits, visibility is often as important as impact. A concise, well-crafted elevator pitch can translate into tangible opportunities—new partnerships, community support, and enhanced brand credibility. More importantly, this initiative celebrates organizations whose work empowers others, creating a ripple effect of influence and recognition.

How to Pitch Your Business

Delivering a compelling pitch in 60 seconds requires precision and strategy. Here’s how to make the most of your moment:

1. Practice and Time Yourself

Rehearse your pitch multiple times to ensure it comfortably fits within 60 seconds. Record yourself to identify areas where you can tighten phrasing, improve pacing, or emphasize key points.

2. Engage Your Body Language

Confidence shows as much through posture and gestures as through words. Maintain eye contact, use purposeful hand movements, and smile naturally. Avoid fidgeting or crossing your arms, which can appear defensive or closed off.

3. Mind Your Tone and Pace

Speak clearly and at a measured pace, don’t rush, but don’t drag. A confident, calm delivery communicates authority and trustworthiness.

4. Hook Your Audience Immediately

Start with a statistic, a question, or a brief anecdote. The goal is to grab attention in the first few seconds and make the audience want to listen.

5. Communicate Your Value

Clearly explain what your business or non-profit does, why it matters, and what sets it apart. Focus on the impact you’ve made in your community.

6. Highlight What Makes You Unique

Focus on the differentiators that separate your business or non-profit from others. Whether it’s a unique methodology, community approach, or innovative solution, make sure your uniqueness comes across clearly.

7. Focus on Results and Impact

Share measurable outcomes or success stories. For example, the number of people your organization has helped, lives changed, jobs created or community projects completed.

8. Tell a Relatable Story

Humanize your pitch with a short story that illustrates your mission. This makes your message memorable and emotionally engaging.

9. Keep It Concise and Memorable

Every second counts. Avoid jargon, keep sentences short, and focus on the essentials. Your goal is to leave a clear impression that stays with the audience.

10. End with a Call-to-Action

Conclude with a clear instruction, ask the audience to vote, support your cause, or connect with your business. Make it easy for them to take action.

11. Anticipate Questions

Even though the pitch is short, be prepared for follow-up questions. Think about the top three questions an audience member might ask and have concise answers ready. This shows preparedness and reinforces credibility.

The event doesn’t end when you step off stage. Make sure your contact information, social media handles, or website are easy to access for those interested in learning more. Building connections afterward can be just as valuable as winning the pitch itself.

For many women-led businesses and non-profits, visibility is as crucial as impact. The Elevator Pitch competition doesn’t just highlight efforts, it opens doors to partnerships, community engagement, and broader support. By amplifying these organizations, Cocktails & Connections 2025 ensures that impactful work receives the recognition it deserves, inspiring others to follow suit.

The initiative embodies the “Empowered to Empower” philosophy: turning recognition into action and visibility into opportunity.