What is South Side Pitch?
South Side’s Shark-Tank Style Competition
Every year, small businesses across the South Side of Chicago participate in South Side Pitch, sharing stories about their roots, their impact, and their visions for the future. The contest ends with a shark-tank style event where finalists pitch their businesses to a city-wide audience and a panel of judges for the chance to win a portion of cash prizes that total over $38,000! Our goal is to shine a spotlight on these incredible business owners and inspire others to pursue their dreams and build up their communities through entrepreneurship.
hosted by
South Side Pitch is hosted by the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School. Located on the South Side, we advocate for economic liberty so that entrepreneurs from Chicago can chart their own courses in life, build up neighborhoods, and create jobs. We provide free legal assistance, access to resources, and advocacy for underserved entrepreneurs in the Chicago area.
Impact
South Side Pitch’s General Timeline
Prizes
With over $40,000 in prizes, the IJ Clinic is spotlighting South Siders with a passion to pitch. Compete against over 100 applicants for one of the top five spots! Each finalist is guaranteed a cash prize at the end of the night.
*The Rustandy Center Social Impact Award is a generous cash award of $2,500 that is given to a South Side Pitch finalist chosen by staff from the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
*The Audience Favorite award is a cash award chosen by the audience that acknowledges the South Side Pitch finalist that receives the highest score for their pitch.
*The South Side Sensation award is a cash award chosen by the audience that acknowledges the South Side Pitch finalist that demonstrates exemplary social impact and showmanship for their business as a South Side resident.
2025 Finalists
Bridgeport
Runaway Cow
Vegan food should be a treat that doesn’t break the bank
The idea of Runaway Cow started over a dozen years ago, as the dream of owner Alison Eichhorn. One might say the ice cream business is in her blood. Her family owned an ice cream…
South Side Pitch 2025
1st Place
Canaryville
ChiBrations
An artist-led media platform designed to celebrate and centralize performing artists of Greater Chicago
Sam moved to Chicago 16 years ago as a budding musician and songwriter, eager to be part of the city’s creative scene. It took years of open mics, jam sessions, and wandering through cultural pockets…
South Side Pitch 2025
2nd Place, Community Favorite
Bronzeville
Ahead Academy
Empowering Youth Through Hair
Anyea founded Ahead Academy after a painful moment in Corporate America, when she was told no one would hire her for having “Bob Marley-looking hair.” Anyea was wearing braids that day, and it made clear…
South Side Pitch 2025
3rd Place
Bronzeville
Framewrks
See and be Seen.
Cassidy Stratton is a multi-passionate entrepreneur whose mission is to create spaces, experiences, and products that make people feel seen. Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Cassidy’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early. At age 10, she…
South Side Pitch 2025
4th Place
Brighton Park
Tawney Coffee
Tawney Coffee is a brother and sister project that delivers gourmet level coffee while bringing together a community of coffee lovers
Darla (22) and Christian (15) Torres started Tawney Coffee in 2024 with the mission to put into practice the financial literacy lessons their dad taught us. They began with a table on the sidewalk in Ravenswood,…
South Side Pitch 2025
5th Place
