SUNY Westchester Community College to Host Second Annual “LevelUp! Pitch Challenge” to Support Emerging Entrepreneurs
Valhalla, NY (July 7, 2026) — SUNY Westchester Community College will host its second annual LevelUp! Pitch Challenge on Thursday, October 15, 2026, providing early-stage entrepreneurs with the opportunity to compete for vital seed funding to grow their businesses.
The competition is supported by a $10,000 grant from the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) through its Everyday Entrepreneur Program, along with a $5,000 sponsorship from Candela Systems Corporation. Together, these funds will provide critical startup capital to help offset early operating expenses and accelerate business growth.
Building on the strong momentum of last year’s inaugural Level 1 Pitch Competition, this Level 2 event will offer increased award amounts and expanded opportunities for promising entrepreneurs ready to take their ventures to the next stage.
Access to capital remains one of the greatest barriers facing new business owners—particularly those with limited financial resources or restricted cash flow. Seed funding can help entrepreneurs purchase equipment, strengthen marketing and sales efforts, and expand their customer base. The LevelUp! Pitch Challenge is designed to reduce financial obstacles, empower small business owners, and promote long-term wealth creation through entrepreneurship.
“The NACCE Everyday Entrepreneur team is thrilled to continue our partnership with SUNY Westchester Community College,” said Lydia Perez-Kavanagh, Project Coordinator for NACCE. “We have enjoyed watching the momentum and success SUNY Westchester has built through the Everyday Entrepreneur program, and we are excited for what lies ahead. We are especially grateful to Eridania Camacho, whose leadership, dedication, and tireless effort continue to make the Everyday Entrepreneur program a powerful force for student and community impact at SUNY Westchester.”
“SUNY Westchester Community College is proud to partner with NACCE and Candela Systems Corporation to provide this important opportunity,” said Dr. LaTasha Hamlett-Carver, Interim VP and Dean of Workforce Development and Community Education at SUNY WCC. “SUNY WCC pursues such partnerships that provide significant community impact, advancing our regional workforce and local businesses.”
Newly established businesses operating for six months to two years are invited to apply for the opportunity to pitch their ventures. Three prizes will be awarded:
- $6,000 — First Place
- $4,000 — Second Place
- $2,000 — Third Place
Entrepreneurs interested in competing can apply online at: LevelUp! Pitch Challenge Application – Fill Out Form
For more information, contact Eridania Camacho at [email protected] or call 914-606-5616.
About SUNY Westchester Peekskill Center for the Digital Arts
The renovated SUNY Westchester Community College Peekskill Center, established in 1994, is located in the downtown artist district of the city of Peekskill, close to other cultural centers, galleries, and restaurants and serves over 1,000 students per year. The college offers a variety of technology workforce training programs and a diverse selection of credit courses each semester (fall, spring, and summer). The college’s English Language Institute offers ESL programs serving students from various backgrounds and countries. Our workforce development certificates include: 3D Animation, Digital Photography, Historic Preservation, Mixed Reality (XR), Social Media Specialist (online), and User Experience Design (UX). The center offers adults many opportunities to upskill, change careers, explore new fields, and expand their portfolios. In addition to these workforce development opportunities, the center also offers credit degree pathways in Business, Marketing, and a new program in ITECH (Interactive Technologies). The college also offers popular short-term software training classes for students and professionals needing to upgrade their knowledge of Adobe software and programming languages. The Open Studio Access Package and 3D Printing & Modeling Access offer facility access with technical support to community artists and entrepreneurs who wish to work on independent projects. The center also offers a dynamic STEAM summer Youth Arts Technology Program offering young people an opportunity to develop a digital arts portfolio within a college environment; and fine arts courses with local artists who will enhance drawing and painting skills for both professional and personal use. The Peekskill Center of SUNY Westchester Community College has something to offer for everyone. This center is part of the lifeblood of the community in Peekskill and a vibrant component of both northern Westchester and Putnam counties. The center offers public lectures and exhibits year round. For more information see http://www.sunywcc.edu/peekskill or email [email protected] or call us at 914-606-7300.