Pitch with Pride 2025: Visibility, Voice, and Victory for LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurs and Nonprofits

That spirit of celebration and solidarity came to life on June 26, 2025, at the inaugural Pitch with Pride, hosted by the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. Held during Pride Month, the event was more than a pitch competition—it was a vibrant showcase of LGBTQ+ and allied-owned businesses and LGBTQ-focused nonprofits from across Iowa. Designed to increase visibility and foster connection, Pitch with Pride created a space where ideas could shine, community members could engage meaningfully, and every attendee could discover new ways to support businesses and nonprofits aligned with their values.

“Pitch with Pride came out of a desire to bring visibility and opportunity to the Chamber’s membership,” said Chad Johnston, Programming Director for the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. “The idea was to involve as many Chamber members as possible—from sponsorship to participation—we wanted this evening to put a spotlight on these organizations. Everyone had a great time, and we are so excited with how well attended the inaugural Pitch with Pride was.”

Education Meets Empowerment: The Art of the Pitch

In the weeks leading up to the competition, Wells Fargo, a major sponsor of Pitch with Pride, went beyond financial support to help set up participants for success. On Thursday, June 12, the Chamber partnered with Wells Fargo to host a free virtual workshop for all contestants and Chamber members titled “The Art of the Pitch.”

Led by Jessica Gomke, Senior Premier Banker at Wells Fargo, the session focused on helping attendees sharpen their presentation skills and communicate their ideas with confidence and clarity—whether to investors, customers, or community partners. The workshop dove into the power of storytelling, and offered practical, strategic advice on structuring a compelling pitch that resonates with any audience.

Jessica, a dynamic leader with a strong record in both the corporate and nonprofit worlds, brought a depth of insight grounded in relationship-building, strategic thinking, and inclusive leadership. Backed by a B.S. from Northwest Missouri State University, she has spent her career helping individuals and organizations thrive through intentional coaching, financial guidance, and communication expertise.

This pre-event workshop helped many contestants refine their pitches, and further demonstrated Wells Fargo’s commitment to education, equity, and elevating underrepresented voices in entrepreneurship.

A Platform for Visibility and Celebration

The evening itself began with a lively social hour at SingleSpeed Brewing Co., a proud Chamber member and the perfect venue for an event rooted in community, collaboration, and creativity. Guests were treated to delicious food, locally brewed drinks, and the opportunity to mingle with other attendees, meet the pitch contestants, and explore a wide range of raffle prizes—all donated by fellow Chamber members. The venue’s warm, welcoming atmosphere created an ideal backdrop for this first-of-its-kind event in Iowa.

Adding to the festive ambiance was a live performance by a brass quintet from Iowa Pride Ensembles, whose joyful, high-energy music helped set a tone of celebration and anticipation. The pre-pitch social hour was more than just a chance to relax—it became a space for meaningful conversations, new introductions, and renewed appreciation for the passion driving Iowa’s LGBTQ+ business and nonprofit community.

With an audience of 60–70 enthusiastic supporters, the room was full of energy as the event transitioned from social to showcase.

Funding, Support, and Impact

Thanks to generous sponsorships from Wells Fargo and Krause Group, Pitch with Pride distributed a total of $5,000 in prize funding. This included $2,500 awarded to the first-place and audience choice winner, $1,500 for second place, and $1,000 for third. An additional $720 was raised through a live raffle, with proceeds directly supporting the Audience Choice Award—turning the crowd into active investors in their favorite pitch.

But this wasn’t just about funding. Every raffle item was donated by a Chamber member, turning the prize table into a showcase of statewide LGBTQ+-owned and allied businesses. It was yet another way the event underscored its commitment to community visibility, resource-sharing, and collective support. Raffle donations were made by:

• Raygun
• The Slow Down Coffee Co.
• East Village Spa
• Krause Group
• Happy Can
• AllSpice Culinarium
• BT Kitchen Supplies
• Des Moines Gay Men's Chorus
• Spring City Pharmacy
• Goldie's Ice Cream
• Rook Room

“It was important to us that Pitch with Pride be inclusive and participatory—not just in who was pitching, but in who was contributing,” said Chad Johnston, Programming Director of the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. “The sponsorships, the raffle donations, the food and venue—all of it was a reflection of our members showing up for one another.”

Pitch with Pride wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Measure, Inc. contributed in multiple ways—from providing delicious food and the judges gifts, to helping promote the event and printing materials that elevated the experience. SingleSpeed Brewing Co., a proud Chamber member, donated their vibrant and welcoming venue space, setting the perfect tone for the evening. Greg Scheidemann Pictures and Invictus Media captured the energy and emotion of the night through professional photography and videography, helping us preserve and share the impact of Pitch with Pride. Marriott Des Moines Downtown provided lodging for visiting judges, ensuring a smooth and comfortable experience. And Molecule sponsored celebratory drinks for our sponsors and judges, adding a thoughtful and festive touch. Each sponsor played a critical role in making this event a success—and we are deeply grateful for their partnership.

Meet the Judges

A distinguished panel of judges evaluated the night’s pitches and selected the winners based on creativity, impact, clarity of vision, and alignment with community values. The judging panel included:

• Paul H. Richardson, Jr., Founder & CEO, Tumbleweed
• Gabe Wells, VP Commercial Banking Officer, Fortress Bank
• Jacki Boldt, Executive Director, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses – Iowa
• Tony Tandeski, Co-Founder, Rook Room

Their combined expertise in business development, entrepreneurship, finance, and community engagement helped guide thoughtful, inspiring feedback throughout the event.

And the Winners Are…

From an impressive pool of nine participating organizations, the judges and audience selected three standout winners:

• First Place & Audience Choice: Iowa Pride Ensembles
• Second Place: Glitter Factory DSM
• Third Place: Bing’s

Iowa Pride Ensembles

As both the judges' top pick and the audience favorite, Iowa Pride Ensembles walked away with $3,220 in funding and the hearts of everyone in the room.

“The Pitch with Pride event was an incredibly impactful event for our organization,” shared Meredith Murphy, President, Iowa Pride Ensembles. “This money will go to funding our first concert season this fall after a performance-packed Pride month with our Marching Band. Its direct impact will include supporting queer composers and arrangers from Iowa and across the country.”

“Just as meaningful as the titles and funds,” they added, “was the overwhelming support from other LGBTQ Chamber members. We received email introductions, offers of strategic advice, and an abundance of well wishes and encouragement. Our team is all volunteer, and we truly left Pitch with Pride feeling seen, supported, and ready to do even more. We are so grateful to be part of a Chamber that lifts each other up and celebrates our work so meaningfully.”

Glitter Factory DSM

Second-place winner Glitter Factory DSM wowed the crowd with their creative pitch and their commitment to inclusive, joyful self-expression through art. Glitter Factory DSM is a DIY craft bar, makerspace, and gift shop aimed toward creating a community space and project bar for adults who love leaning into creating things that spark joy, finding new hobbies, learning new skills.

Bing’s

Bing’s, which earned third place, shared a powerful story rooted in storytelling, identity, and joy. Their pitch introduced a new book project and a broader vision to create welcoming, affirming spaces and narratives.

“Participating in the Pitch with Pride event was such a meaningful experience for me and for Bing’s,” said the founder of Bing’s. “It gave me the opportunity to introduce my new book to a warm, supportive audience that values inclusion and community. Sharing the story behind the project in a space that celebrates LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs made the moment even more powerful.”

“Winning the competition has created real momentum—it’s boosted confidence, generated excitement, and opened doors. This support will help us reach more people and grow our mission of creating inclusive, joyful spaces and stories.”

Celebrating Every Voice

While three organizations took home top honors, every contestant brought something special to the stage. The Chamber proudly recognizes the other six incredible organizations who participated:

• Adel Family Fun Center – Bryce Smith

• Back Alley House Plants – Jason Paull

• For a Good Clause – Jody Crossman-Gifford

• Iowa Safe Schools – Damian Thompson

• Untamed Abundance – Jenni Fulton

• Varsity Cinema – Ben Godar

Each of these participants delivered passionate, purpose-driven pitches that highlighted the strength, diversity, and innovation within Iowa’s LGBTQ+ and allied communities. Whether they were introducing a new initiative, expanding their reach, or deepening their mission, every presenter left a lasting impression.

“The amount of heart in that room was unbelievable,” one attendee shared. “You could feel the energy, the joy, the hope. It was more than just a pitch night—it was a movement.”

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Looking Ahead

As the inaugural Pitch with Pride wraps, the message is clear: when we make space for LGBTQ+ voices to shine, we build stronger, more connected communities. This event didn’t just offer funding—it sparked ideas, forged relationships, and reminded us of the power of showing up.

“We created Pitch with Pride to lift up our members,” said Chad Johnston, Programming Director of the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. “But it became something even bigger—an evening of inspiration, connection, and pride that we hope will only grow in the years ahead.”

The Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce envisions Pitch with Pride becoming a statewide tradition, hosting events beyond just Pride Month and central Iowa to spotlight diverse entrepreneurs and nonprofits in cities and towns across the state. To make this vision a reality, the Chamber is actively seeking venues interested in hosting, prize and raffle sponsors, and community partners who want to join this growing movement of visibility and support.

If you or your organization would like to get involved, please reach out to Chad Johnston, Programming Director, at programming@iowalgbtqchamber.org. Together, we can amplify LGBTQ+ voices and build a stronger, more inclusive Iowa—one pitch at a time.