Remarkable Ideas Competition

Do you have a remarkable idea to share?

The Great Dames Remarkable Ideas Pitch Competition engages women-led for-profit small businesses and nonprofits and funds their remarkable work to create a better future for women and girls. The competition draws women innovators from across the globe. and works with them to increase their effectiveness through funding, mentoring, and forging a strategic partnership with Great Dames.

2024 Great Dames Remarkable Ideas Grant Competition

Congratulations to our 2024 Remarkable Ideas Winner, LaVante’ Dorsey, True to You Mental Health Initiative. And kudos to all of our 2024 remarkable finalists who are doing vital work to empower women and girls in our communities. Please support them.

2024 Finalist Pitch Videos/Websites:

AHHAH ( Arts Holding Hands and Hearts) video / website / donate

Girls Can Do Anything video / website / donate

Her Wallet Media video / website / donate

Safe Haven Healing video / website / donate

True to You Mental Health Initiative video / website / donate

Unite For Her video / website / donate

2024 Semi-Finalist Pitch Videos/Websites:

Leah’s Dream video / website / donate

World Academy for the Future of Women video / website

These remarkable women leaders pitched their ideas for empowering women and girls. Innovators worldwide participated in our competition, and six finalists were selected by our judges to pitch. Giving Circle members selected the winner to receive a grand prize package that included a $10,000 cash award, access to a business mentor, and a comprehensive portfolio of business services. The total value of the grand prize package exceeded $25,000.

Our 2024 Remarkable Ideas winner, LaVante’ Dorsey, True to You Mental Health Initiative, was announced at our 15th Anniversary Celebration Events on Oct. 15 & Nov. 14.

Want to support remarkable women innovators?

JOIN the Giving Circle

***

Prior Remarkable Winners

2023 Great Dames Remarkable Ideas Grant Award

Body Empowerment Project Leaders

Body Empowerment Project video / website

The Great Dames community was thrilled to announce the winner of our 2023 Remarkable Ideas Pitch Competition. Body Empowerment Project, a nonprofit that empowers youth to find body acceptance and self-worth, was awarded our premier grant. The winning pitch offered a well-researched presentation of their efforts to help prevent eating disorders in adolescents, specifically in populations lacking access to treatment and preventive care. The award included a $5,000 grant, a business mentor, business services portfolio, and a strategic partnership with Great Dames.

Two other nonprofits, The Wardrobe and Unite for Her, were given finalist awards that included a business mentor, services, and a seed grant.

***

2021 Remarkable Ideas Virtual Pitch Competition features Women with BIG Ideas for Reimagining the Future

2021 Competition Finalists’ Pitch Videos:

Up Cycle Design, Sierra RyanWallick, the 2021 Remarkable Winner! Read here.

Imagine Me Healthy, Chesha Hodge

Dear Katie: Survivor Stories Podcast, Kelsey Styles

Quality Communication Training, That Scales, Rachel Cossar

Redefining the Superwoman, Nicolle Surratte

Please share your feedback: Audience Evaluation of Pitch Videos

Theme: Reimagining our Future with Your Remarkable Ideas

You are invited to share your innovative ideas to reimagine our future.

Winner will receive a package, including $1,000 in cash, a business mentor, and a portfolio of valuable business services. Judges will select 5 finalists among the pitch videos submitted. The Great Dames Circle community will select the WINNER!

Application Deadline: November 19, 2021 at 12:00 noon EST
Virtual Pitch Event: November 30, 2021
Winner Announcement: December 13, 2021

Information

2020 Remarkable Ideas Pitch Competition features Women with BIG Ideas for Reimagining their Communities

Ten remarkable young women pitched their innovative ideas to the Great Dames community and each deserved recognition and support. Giftie Umo was declared the winner for her project that is dedicated to giving women in Africa a voice. Giftie, a Nigerian-born Delawarean, founded Girls Leading Africa to empower girls and young mothers who face gender inequity. Giftie remarked "I was tired of the invisible scars women and girls carry with them. I believe there is no better time to amplify their voices." Giftie was awarded a $1,000 grant and will be assigned a business mentor to support her efforts. We invite you to review all eight pitches and offer your feedback and support!

Remarkable Ideas Survey Link