NEW YORK, NY -- HearstLab is thrilled to announce that one of its $100,000 pitch competition winners will be eligible for a bonus prize package from The Martin Group at Pitch HearstLab New York on April 17, 2024. 

The pitch competition series, started in 2022, is designed to specifically find and fund early-stage female founders building B2B and B2C businesses. In the last year, Hearst has invested more than $3,000,000 in 13 startups through these pitch events, and their global portfolio of more than 70 women-led companies has a collective valuation of over $2,500,000,000.

As one of Hearst’s premier marketing agency partners, The Martin Group will offer $10,000 of in-kind services to help one winning company scale their business by providing services tailored to its needs. Services include public relations, digital marketing, branding, strategy, website development, and more.

"We are delighted to partner with HearstLab on this competition and to have the opportunity to work with one of the exciting women-led startups that are changing the business landscape,” said Matt Davison, Chief Business Officer at The Martin Group. “This is an amazing chance to make a difference, combining our resources with HearstLab’s to help the winning company stand out, reach new audiences and expand their business.”

HearstLab remains committed to closing the gap in venture capital funding by providing cash investments and services to early-stage, women-led startups innovating across fintech, data analytics, health, transportation, enterprise technology and media. 

HearstLab’s next signature $100,000 pitch competition for early-stage female founders will be held at the Hearst Tower in New York on April 17, 2024. Founders can apply to pitch in front of a live audience and panel of judges here. 

Applications close February 4.

The Martin Group is a leading integrated communications firm headquartered in downtown Buffalo with office operations in Albany, Rochester, and New York, NY. The firm works with best-in-class organizations ranging from small businesses to global enterprises and has extensive experience in several industry verticals, including food and beverage, sports and lifestyle, healthcare, financial services, education, professional services, and not-for-profit support. Continually recognized for marketing communications excellence by the American Advertising Federation, the American Marketing Association, the Public Relations Society of America, and the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, among others, the agency has been previously selected as a “Top Private Company” and “Fastest Growing Company” by various regional news publications. For more information on The Martin Group, visit www.martingroup.co, or follow the agency on LinkedIn and Instagram.

HearstLab provides cash investments and services to early-stage, women-led startups innovating across fintech, data analytics, health, transportation, enterprise technology and media. Its mission is to close the gap in VC funding for women by helping founders build sustainable and highly scalable businesses. With access to Hearst resources across 360+ businesses, HearstLab’s breadth of services includes assistance with privacy and security, software development, legal services, financial analysis, and marketing and design support. To learn more about HearstLab, visit HearstLab.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Nico Gendron