Ega Pitch Competition at AfroFest Omaha 2026
Hosted by the Midlands African Chamber, Inc.
A fast-paced, high-impact opportunity for early-stage entrepreneurs to pitch live at the 8th Annual AfroFest Omaha — the Midwest's largest celebration of African and Afro-diasporic culture.
About the Event
Come for the culture. Pitch for the future. Win the Ega.
The MAC Chamber — formerly known as the Midlands African Chamber, Inc. — is proud to launch the inaugural 2026 EGA Pitch Competition, held during the 8th Annual AfroFest Omaha.
This live pitch event spotlights innovative, Black-owned businesses, student-led ventures, and emerging founders. It's not just a pitch competition — it's a celebration of brilliance, innovation, and economic empowerment in action.
This isn't just a pitch competition — it's a celebration of brilliance, innovation, and economic empowerment in action.
What's at Stake
Real prizes. Real opportunities. Real impact.
Five semi-finalists pitch under the MAC tent at AfroFest. Two finalists take the main stage. Winners walk away with funding, mentorship, and a launching pad for their business.
$500
Stage Winner Grant
Awarded live on the AfroFest main stage to the pitch competition winner.
MAC-Xcelerator
Acceptance into the MAC-Xcelerator Program.
All semi-finalists receive guaranteed acceptance into the MAC-Xcelerator 12-week hybrid accelerator program.
1 yr
Free MAC Membership
One year complimentary membership with the MAC Chamber upon completion of the MAC-X program, plus access to a dedicated SCORE business mentorship during the program.
MAC Xcelerator Program
The MAC-X is a 12-week hybrid enterprise accelerator designed to strengthen, energize, and support startups and small businesses. Participants receive a business plan, pitch deck assistance, a complimentary MAC membership, and access to SCORE business mentors during the program.
Disclaimer: Businesses may only participate once in the MAC-Xcelerator program.
Who Should Apply
The Ega Pitch Competition is open to a wide range of entrepreneurs who are ready to take their ideas to the next level.
- Student entrepreneurs
- Recent graduates
- Early-stage business founders
- Underserved, immigrants, and refugees building innovative, community-driven ventures
Ready to take the stage?
Apply now at today for a chance to pitch live at AfroFest Omaha. Selected finalists will receive next steps to prepare for the competition.
APPLY TODAY
Come for the culture. Pitch for the future.
Applications close July 19, 2026
MAC Programs and Initiatives
MAC Xcelerator
The MAC Xcelerator (MAC-X) is an enterprise accelerator program designed to strengthen, energize, and support startups and small businesses led by BlPOC entrepreneurs in Nebraska and throughout the Midlands. MAC-X identifies black business leaders with impact-oriented solutions, addressing essential community needs while spurring sustainable growth.
In order to cater to a wide audience, the MAC-X program will be held biannually, with one session in the Fall and another in the Spring. Participants in the program will have the opportunity to receive financial incentives and may choose to apply for the Pitch Black competition. However, being part of the MAC-X program does not guarantee participation in the Pitch Black competition or finale.
Completing the MAC-X program will enable cohort members to receive up to $ 1,000 in seed funds.
Pitch Black
Pitch Black is a dynamic conference strategically crafted to fuel entrepreneurship across diverse communities in the Midwest. Our event showcases prominent speakers, a business exposition, and an exciting business pitch competition. The competition is specifically tailored to offer a platform for emerging BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) as well as immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas. Participants have the opportunity to compete for a grand prize of up to $15,000, complemented by invaluable in-kind support surpassing $40,000. This support extends to essential services such as marketing, legal, and accounting, providing crucial assistance for their ventures.
Join the MAC and Pitch Black in promoting entrepreneurship in the black and minority communities in Nebraska, and the Midwest. We need businesses and community partners like you, in order to make this happen.
Suit Up Program
The mission of the Midlands African Chamber’s Suit Up Program is to empower young men and women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, headshot, and job readiness workforce preparation.
This program is designed to create opportunities for teens and young adults in at-risk populations in black and brown, immigrant, and refugee communities so as to inspire and feed the pipeline of future minority entrepreneurs.
Rising CEOs
Rising CEOs is a Leadership and Entrepreneurship program which is made possible by grants of the Omaha Community Foundation, Sherwood Foundation and Weitz Foundation.
The program's goal is to foster entrepreneurial spirit, technology, and leadership skills among at-risk young black and brown girls and boys, between the ages of 14 to 19 years. It is designed to create opportunities for teens in at-risk populations in black and brown, immigrant and refugee communities so to inspire and feed the pipeline of future minority entrepreneurs.
Members Emergency Fund
Our fundamental mission is to connect, empower, and champion black businesses. We believe in the transformative power of unity and collaboration, and the MAC Emergency Fund embodies our dedication to standing by our members when they need it most.
We recognize that unexpected events can jeopardize the very foundations of a business, and our goal is to ensure that our members are well-equipped and well-supported to ensure the continuity of their operations.
Scholarship Fund
The MAC Foundation Scholarships have been established to assist Black, refugee, and immigrant high school seniors and college students studying Accounting, Finance, Law, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). We are pleased to announce the MAC Foundation Scholarship application is open to applicants. We recognize the financial pressure that students frequently experience, and our scholarships program aims to ease some of that burden. Our scholarships are intended to help deserving students who demonstrate a strong commitment to their studies and a passion for their chosen disciplines. We provide $1,000 one-time scholarships that can be utilized for tuition and books.
