PitchProv: A Starting Point

In December of 2024, we piloted new programming, PitchProv. PitchProv is an event that combines both the creativity of improv and the formality of pitching. Participants are invited to challenge themselves through an audience lightning round, partnered practice round, and brave participants can compete to reign supreme through an Apollo-style competition round. The event is both for experienced public speakers to flex their skills, and more reserved professionals to have the space to hone their skills – the goal is for everyone to leave feeling more confident.  

Beyond individual feelings of increased confidence, we also aim for participants to leave with a renewed sense of community. PitchProv is a call-to-action around urgent societal challenges we are facing, such as:

The Loneliness Epidemic 
In 2023, the U.S. The Surgeon General issued an epidemic of loneliness and isolation in response to consistent research across communities in the United States showing that people have overwhelming feelings of, “I have to shoulder life’s burdens by myself,” or “if I disappear tomorrow, no one will notice.”  This is factored, alongside our nearly a decade of working with founders and the most consistent sentiment we hear is how isolating the entrepreneurial journey can be.

Through the shared vulnerability of improv, participants are able to establish authentic connections with their peers. We design the check-in, welcome, and flow of the event to establish shared expectations, and create a unique opportunity for people to tap into their sense of play, practice cultivating new relationships, and expand their network.

The Pressures of an Evolving Workforce
In 2024, U.S. employee engagement hit an 11 year low and overall employee well-being continued to decline. With a wave of cross-sector layoffs, evolving demands on skills, and wages not satisfying the cost of living, professionals are facing immense pressure. This results in an increased drive towards entrepreneurship, whether that be starting a specialized business, building a portfolio career, or tapping into the gig economy.

During the PitchProv activation, the support of expert facilitators and the curated prompts personalized for the audience creates opportunity for participants to go beyond an “elevator pitch.” Participants have the opportunity to practice thinking on their feet, pitch a business idea for the first time, or experiment with a silly one, while  exploring how to sell their skills and attributes to different audiences. Seven out of ten future of work core skills listed in the World Economic Forum’s 2025 report are skills gained while participating in PitchProv (analytical thinking, resilience/flexibility/agility, creative thinking, active listening, curiosity, leadership/social influence, motivation/self-awareness). Participants are able to develop their skills and expand their network. Community is a strong defense against mental health challenges due to career pressure.

A Starting Point
Founder Forward knows that one event may not be a solution, but PitchProv is designed to be a starting point. We are tapping into the power of place-based solutions in two-ways: 1) through hosting at a community hub to tie attendees to an accessible and shared place 2) inviting participants to stay connected through our online platform. 

With the lessons learned through nearly a decade of investing in founders, we are building an interconnected, multi-city network that transforms entrepreneurial ecosystems, starting with PitchProv.