Please join us on Wednesday, March 18, at 9:00 am PT for the Defy NorCal Business Pitch Competition & Graduation at the Valley State Prison!
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 Israel ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!
Details
Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 am PT
End time: 4:00 pm PT
Location: Valley State Prison - Chowchilla, CA
Transportation: The prison is 140 miles and approximately 2 hrs 30 min from Oakland
Defy Bus
Departing from Jack London Square @ 6:45 am
Drive Self/Carpool - Arrive @ Prison by 9 am