When entrepreneurs talk about pitching to investors, they often picture high-stakes boardroom meetings with endless slide decks. But at Black Girl Ventures’ (BGV) Virtual Miami Pull Up & Pitch, success comes down to 60 seconds, raw passion, and a brilliant product.

Recently, co-inventors Akosua and Kira Stevenson celebrated a massive milestone: after competing through three intense rounds of pitching their invention, WIGGO, they placed 2nd overall and walked away with a $3,000 non-dilutive grant check.

Here is a deep dive into the story behind the win, how the competition works, and why WIGGO is set to disrupt a multi-billion-dollar industry.

1. What is WIGGO? Solving a $13.6 Billion Problem

The global hair and wig industry is currently valued at over $13.6 Billion, yet traditional accessories haven't evolved to meet modern lifestyle needs.

• The Problem: Traditional wig stands and styrofoam mannequin heads are bulky, heavy, impossible to pack in a suitcase, and trap dampness and oils—creating a breeding ground for mold that ruins expensive human hair wigs.

• The Innovation: Akosua and Kira engineered WIGGO—a lightweight (~3 lbs), fully collapsible, portable wig holder made from durable Polycarbonate and ABS plastic. It expands instantly for home styling or drying and collapses flat to fit inside a handbag or carry-on.

Designed for cancer patients, alopecia sufferers, travelers, entertainers, and everyday fashion enthusiasts, WIGGO combines convenience with hygiene.

2. How the Black Girl Ventures "Pull Up & Pitch" Works

To understand the significance of Akosua and Kira’s 2nd place win, it helps to look at the unique multi-round format of BGV’s competition:

• Round 1 (60-Second Elevator Pitch): Founders jump on stage to deliver an unscripted 60-second pitch to three legacy judges. Each judge's vote is worth $500 in grant funding.

• Round 2 (Semi-Finals): Founders who earn judge votes move on to pitch BGV Founder/CEO Shelly “Omi” Bell and celebrity guest judges for larger grant pools.

• Round 3 (Final Grand Championship): The top startups compete head-to-head in a deep-dive pitch and Q&A to determine final rankings and grant distributions.

Surviving all three rounds and finishing 2nd Place out of dozens of competitors proves both the viability of WIGGO and the compelling pitch delivery of its founders.

3. Bridging the VC Funding Gap for Black Women Founders

In the startup ecosystem, Black female founders consistently receive less than 0.5% of total venture capital funding. Organizations like Black Girl Ventures are vital because they provide non-dilutive grant funding—allowing founders to keep 100% ownership of their business while raising early-stage capital.

For Kira and Akosua, the $3,000 grant provided critical pre-seed funding to cover 2D technical drawings, CAD files, 3D printing stress tests, and CNC machining required to bring WIGGO into mass production.

"When you talk about building that community and finding resources, Black Girl Ventures is an excellent resource... They saw the value in WIGGO, and we came in second across three rounds of pitching."

— Kira Stevenson, Co-Inventor of WIGGO

Key Takeaways for Founders

1. Focus on Pain Points: WIGGO won because it solved an undeniable, everyday problem in a massive market.

2. Master the Elevator Pitch: Being able to explain your product's value proposition in 60 seconds is essential for grabbing attention.

3. Leverage Community Grants: Pitch competitions like BGV offer non-dilutive funding, mentorship, and a network of supportive entrepreneurs.