Baker Hill Launches $10,000 Pitch Competition for Veteran Entrepreneurs

2026-11-11

The Verge

Oklahoma veteran entrepreneurs compete live at The Verge on Veterans Day for a ten thousand dollar grand prize.

Battle of OKC is a business pitch competition for Oklahoma veteran entrepreneurs culminating live on Veterans Day. Ten finalists will pitch before a panel of judges for a $10,000 grand prize. The event is organized by Baker Hill in collaboration with The Verge OKC, IVMF, Gradient, and Oklahoma SBDC.

Founder brief

Who should attend

Military veterans running Oklahoma-registered companies should target this contest. Your business must be majority veteran-owned and actively operating for at least one full year, regardless of industry sector.

What happens

Ten selected finalists present their businesses live in front of a judging panel. The evening showcases these presentations and finishes with the awarding of the ten thousand dollar grand prize.

Who's in the room

Attendees will meet hosts and leadership representing Baker Hill, The Verge OKC, the Oklahoma SBDC, and the D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, including Andy Ivankovich, Kristin Garcia, Barbara E. Carson, Dr. Michele Hockersmith, and Jason Archer.

How to prepare

Contenders must first create and submit a tight three-minute video pitch ahead of the deadline. If selected among the ten finalists, refine your stage presence, distill your financial metrics, and practice addressing direct questions from judges in a live room.

Organizer: Baker Hill

Register

At a glance

Format
Applicants submit a three-minute video pitch. Ten finalists pitch live before a panel of judges.
Who can apply
Veteran entrepreneurs whose business is majority veteran-owned, has operated for at least one year, and is registered in Oklahoma.
Prizes
$10,000 grand prize
Sectors
Agnostic

Speakers, judges and hosts

  • Andy Ivankovich — Chairman and CEO, Baker Hill (Host)
  • Barbara E. Carson — Managing Director, Programs and Policy, D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (Host)
  • Dr. Michele Hockersmith — State Director, Oklahoma SBDC (Host)
  • Jason Archer — Chief Marketing Officer, Baker Hill (Host)
  • Kristin Garcia — Executive Director, The Verge OKC (Host)

Sponsors and partners