This year’s MBA Pitch Competition gathered the 100 entrepreneurs in the 2024-25 cohort at The Bomb Factory in Deep Ellum alongside family and friends to celebrate their accomplishments throughout the program.
Although the business development sessions are coming to a close for this year’s cohort, the relationships these entrepreneurs developed with the Dallas Mavericks, program sponsors, and one another will continue to pay dividends.
As part of last Saturday’s pitch competition, several entrepreneurs not presenting hosted an expo to showcase their products to the nearly 300 attendees who filled the venue.
Before the competitors took center stage, Mavs CEO Rick Welts, whose entrepreneurial spirit has guided countless accomplishments throughout his career, spoke to the program’s success in elevating diverse business owners and shared his enthusiasm for the future of all involved.
Over 50% of this year’s cohort submitted applications with hopes of competing for the pitch competition prize money, with the top eight entrepreneurs selected to participate:
In the four minutes to pitch their businesses, each entrepreneur shared with the panel of judges the passion behind their projects, current and projected business insights, and how the funding up for grabs can fuel their ventures.
With a unique opportunity at hand due to the all-encompassing nature of sponsor involvement in the MBA program— from acting as presenters and mentors during business development sessions to holding a seat at the judge’s table— the entrepreneurs came prepared to impress the panel of judges who represented the same businesses that guided them throughout the program.
After an extended deliberation period, the judges selected their winners.
Taking home the $15,000 runner-up prize was Kelli Mumphrey’s MilkSpace, and leaving with this year’s $25,000 grand prize was Alejandra Aguirre’s Cadena Collective.
“Just looking at my progress— the information from ZenBusiness really helped me to fine-tune some of the things I need to work out as a business owner so I could be ready to be on stage,” said Mumphrey after admitting she felt like a winner months ago when she received her initial acceptance into the MBA program. “Those classes helped me prepare mentally and dig into my business like I needed to, and now I can allocate this money very strategically.”
Now, $15,000 richer, she’s ready to implement a comprehensive sales and marketing strategy to bring MilkSpace to the next level.
Alejandra Aguirre has big plans for her winnings, too.
With the $25,000, she plans to work closely with a DFW-based technology company to automate elements of her online marketplace, allowing her to shift her focus to large-scale brand development.
“It was a great experience seeing the energy of the contestants and people doing the scariest thing in their life— starting their business, getting in front of people, making a pitch— I have just incredible admiration for every one of them,” said Mo Sayegh, one of the judges and director of consumer engagement & AI product at ZenBusiness. “Both [winners] had a great plan for how they were already going to use that prize money and how it’s going to impact both their business, the community, and their families.
“I would love to be able to come back in two years and see how much of those plans were realized, how far they’ve gotten, as well as the incremental growth. This isn’t just $25,000 or $15,000, but it’s an investment into their business that unlocks doors. To see how fast both of those ladies are able to actually capitalize on that will be really exciting.”
Beyond the financial awards, the pitch competition was about more than celebrating two standout winners— it was a testament to the resilience, innovation, and drive of each participant who took the stage and all who partook in this year’s program.
“It hasn’t quite hit me yet, but I’m starting to process that all the hard work that I’ve put into this pitch and my business is proof that the work that I’m doing is meaningful, not only to the customers that I’m providing goods for but also the community that I live in and the people around me,” Aguirre said shortly after being doused in confetti.
“Connecting with other entrepreneurs really has been my favorite part [of the MBA program]— the ability to feel seen because we’re all doing similar work,” she added.
“Oftentimes you feel alone and in a silo, so when you get to do this work with others, you feel like you’re not alone. Dallas is full of entrepreneurs. The things that we’re doing behind the scenes, in our own spaces, is really what’s making Dallas an innovative, entrepreneurial city, and what makes Dallas thrive.”
In May, the 2024-25 cohort will unite once more, hosting a market fair to showcase their products and services to the greater public.
For more information on the Mavs Business Assist program, visit Mavs.com/MBA.
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