Coffee Pitch Night in Chicago: Founders Take the Stage at the Specialty Coffee Expo
A pitching showcase organized alongside small business owners will follow the opening day of the annual specialty coffee expo in Chicago, giving coffee entrepreneurs a spotlight and cash prizes.
By Parker Morgan2 min read
This piece is part of our continuing coverage of the 2024 Specialty Coffee Expo, held in Chicago from April 12 to 14. We will keep sharing stories, updates, and analysis before, during, and after the event.
On April 12, 2024, Melissa Villanueva of Brewpoint Coffee and Michelle Johnson of Ghost Town Oats will present Elevating Dreams Erasing Divides, a pitching competition designed specifically for the coffee sector.
The gathering takes place right after the first day of the Specialty Coffee Association's annual expo. Those who attend can watch coffee entrepreneurs make their case to a judging panel, connect with other professionals, and enjoy food and drinks from local vendors.
Startups and innovators in the competition will have the opportunity to put their ideas before industry experts and raise the profile of their young ventures. The top finisher will collect a $1,500 prize, while the second-place entrant will receive $500.
The pitching lineup has already been finalized, and it includes representatives drawn from across the coffee industry—in Villanueva's words, basically "anyone who is looking to build a business in or connected to our wider industry." Villanueva will also serve as one of the judges.
- When: April 12, 2024 — doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the event kicks off at 6:15
- Where: The Hatchery, 135 N Kedzie Avenue
- Tickets: Free to attend, register here
Why It Matters: The coffee business shifts constantly, and the pressures of the market keep pushing the industry to innovate, trim inefficiencies, and sharpen its competitive edge. Pitch competitions give ambitious people a way to share their concepts, receive meaningful feedback or validation, and step into the spotlight for a moment. This event, though, goes beyond competition: it is a tribute to original thinking and to experimenters devoted to moving specialty coffee forward, and it hands them a stage to shine and to shape what coffee becomes.
"The coffee world is changing fast. Just having a small business isn’t enough anymore. We have to evolve, expand, and find new ways to make it work. That’s why we’re focusing on showcasing the latest companies, products, and tech designed specifically for coffee businesses,
Villaneuva said. "We’re offering a unique chance for entrepreneurs to see how these innovations can help them thrive."
Villaneuva is enthusiastic about the roster of coffee professionals set to take part. "If you’re an innovator or entrepreneur, pitching at this event puts your product or service in front of a massive audience of coffee professionals," said Villaneuva. "It’s a golden opportunity to show how your brand fills a niche in the market, potentially benefiting the entire industry." And for those who missed the pitch deadline, there is still reason to come: attendees will hear new ideas and meet the next wave of coffee thinkers.
The Full Extraction: Pitching or not, Elevating Dreams Erasing Divides offers a setting to network and pick up lessons from entrepreneurs throughout the coffee world. Business talk doesn't mean a dull evening, either: DJ El Grandote will provide music, Hi & Mighty Distillery and Skeptic Distillery will pour drinks, and Savory Crust will supply the food.
Doors open at 5:30, and the program starts at 6:15. Admission is free, but capacity is limited: register here.
