Please join us on Thursday, December 7, at 9:00 am PT for the Defy NorCal Business Pitch Competition & Graduation at the Correctional Training Facility!

What's it all about?

Business pitch competition and graduations are the culminating events for EITs as they complete Defy's rigorous CEO YNL program. During these events, EITs present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of volunteer judges. Judges ask clarifying questions, provide feedback to strengthen the business concepts and pitches, and evaluate the overall presentations with their fellow judges to select competition winners. The event also includes icebreaker and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap and gown graduation ceremony in which EITs are awarded a Certificate of Entrepreneurship issued by the Drucker School of Management.

Please reach out to Angela ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

Details

• Date: Thursday, December 7, 2023

• Start Time: 9:00 am PT

• End time: 6:00 pm PT

• Location: Correctional Training Facility - Soledad, CA

• Transportation: The prison is 121 miles and approximately 2 hrs 15 min from Oakland

  • Defy Bus

    • Departing from Jack London Square @ 6:45 am

    • Departing from San Jose @ 7:45 am

  • Drive Self/Carpool - Arrive @ Prison by 9 am

  We are thrilled to see the incredible enthusiasm and support for the upcoming CTF Business Pitch Competition and Graduation. Due to the overwhelming popularity of this event, we have reached full capacity and must regretfully announce the closure of the registration process.

  However, for those who still wish to be part of this exciting event, we have established a waitlist. To be added to the waitlist, please reach out to our dedicated volunteer manager, Angela Sanz, at [email protected]. Angela will assist you with further details regarding the waitlist and provide updates on any available spots that may open up.

  We sincerely appreciate your interest and look forward to celebrating the achievements of our participants at the CTF Business Pitch Competition and Graduation.

Come join us for our Defy NorCal Volunteer Orientation event. This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in learning more about our organization and ways to get involved. We will be discussing topics that range from best practices, volunteer opportunities, and EIT experiences. We will also be doing a deeper dive into volunteer engagement, and expectations, while allowing plenty of space for questions, comments and concerns. So please, tell a friend! We look forward to seeing you there!

Sign up Here:

https://secure.everyaction.com/wnglg9e8YEy4ST_0vh8ahw2

Business Coaching Day at Correctional Training Facility, Soledad (C Yard)

Date: May 21, 2020

Location: Correctional Training Facility, Soledad Prison Road, Soledad, CA 93960 

Event Description: Business Coaching Days (BCDs) are great ways to meet like-minded volunteers and many talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs). In addition to one-on-one career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities. BCDs support employment readiness and entrepreneurship skills and, through conversations and connections with our volunteers, enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

REGISTRATION: Complete this registration form by April 9

Business Coaching Day at Correctional Training Facility, Soledad (D Yard)

Date: April 29, 2020

Location: Correctional Training Facility, Soledad Prison Road, Soledad, CA 93960 

Event Description: Business Coaching Days (BCDs) are great ways to meet like-minded volunteers and many talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs). In addition to one-on-one career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities. BCDs support employment readiness and entrepreneurship skills and, through conversations and connections with our volunteers, enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

REGISTRATION: This event is canceled. Please email Carmen at [email protected] with any questions.

Date: November 19, 2020

Location: Correctional Training Facility, Soledad Prison Road, Soledad, CA 93960 

Event Description: Business Pitch Competitions (BPCs) are the culminating events for hard-working EITs completing the CEO of Your New Life program. During a BPC, EITs will present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of business leaders and investors. The event also includes Defy’s signature icebreaker and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap and gown graduation ceremony.

REGISTRATION: Complete this registration form by October 1

Business Pitch Competition at Pleasant Valley State Prison (B Yard)

Date: January 7, 2021

Location: Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, CA 93210

Event Description: Business Pitch Competitions (BPCs) are the culminating events for hard-working EITs completing the CEO of Your New Life program. During a BPC, EITs will present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of business leaders and investors. The event also includes Defy’s signature icebreaker and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap and gown graduation ceremony.

REGISTRATION: Complete this registration form by November 20

Business Coaching Day at Pleasant Valley State Prison (B Yard)

Date: July 16, 2020

Location: Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, CA 93210

Event Description: Business Coaching Days (BCDs) are great ways to meet like-minded volunteers and many talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs). In addition to one-on-one career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities. BCDs support employment readiness and entrepreneurship skills and, through conversations and connections with our volunteers, enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

REGISTRATION: Complete this registration form by June 1

Date: September 30, 2020

Location: Correctional Training Facility, Soledad Prison Road, Soledad, CA 93960 

Event Description: Business Pitch Competitions (BPCs) are the culminating events for hard-working EITs completing the CEO of Your New Life program. During a BPC, EITs will present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of business leaders and investors. The event also includes Defy’s signature icebreaker and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap and gown graduation ceremony.

REGISTRATION: Complete this registration form by August 12

Date: November 14, 2019

Time: Volunteers must arrive at facility at 10 am and the event will conclude by 5 pm.

Location: Correctional Training Facility (CTF) in Soledad, CA

Description of Event: Business Pitch Competitions (BPCs) are the culminating events for hard-working EITs completing the CEO of Your New Life program. During a BPC, EITs will present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of business leaders and investors. The event also includes Defy’s signature icebreaker and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap and gown graduation ceremony.

REGISTRATION: Complete this registration form by 10/1/19

Date: October 24, 2019

Time: Volunteers must arrive at facility at 10 am and the event will conclude by 5 pm.

Location: Correctional Training Facility (CTF) in Soledad, CA

Description of Event: Business Pitch Competitions (BPCs) are the culminating events for hard-working EITs completing the CEO of Your New Life program. During a BPC, EITs will present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of business leaders and investors. The event also includes Defy’s signature icebreaker and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap and gown graduation ceremony.

REGISTRATION: This event is full and now closed.

Business Coaching Day (BCD)

Correctional Training Facility, Soledad

BCDs begin with icebreaker exercises designed to help create an inclusive and accepting community. Afterward, volunteers provide EITs with feedback on their resumes, personal statements, and business ideas through small group coaching sessions. Before the end of the evening, there are exercises to reflect on what everyone learned and bring closure to the event.

Email Kari at [email protected] by Friday, June 7, to register!

Business Pitch Competition & Graduation

Valley State Prison

Business Pitch Competitions begin with icebreaker exercises designed to help create an inclusive and accepting community. Afterward, volunteers serve as judges for the EITs’ Shark-Tank style pitch competition at the culmination of their journey with Defy. Following the competition, EITs don caps and gowns and their family members are invited to join their graduation ceremony. Volunteers have the special opportunity to bear witness and lend support to the graduates who have worked diligently to reach this milestone occasion. 

Email Kari at [email protected] by Friday, May 24, to register!