The Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe
Foundation Center of Entrepreneurship & Innovation
The Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe
Foundation Center of Entrepreneurship & Innovation
NACCE Pitch for the Trades
About Us
Following the 2019 successes of the inaugural Pitch for the Trades competition and the gains made by the initial cohort of Pitch winners, in July 2020, the Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation awarded NACCE a new partnership and $900,000 in grant funding to leverage a three-year commitment to collaborate with community colleges to build entrepreneurial mindset training and business opportunities in the trades and apprenticeships. The annual NACCE Pitch for the Trades is just one way NACCE is accomplishing this mission by providing real value to members.
The work of community colleges matters to our communities and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. We enthusiastically commend our leaders and innovators in education and in preparing students for apprenticeships and careers in the skilled trades, and are grateful for the Ratcliffe Foundation’s continued support. If you are interested in learning more about NACCE or the Pitch for the Trades competition, please reach out to our team at info@nacce.com.
Featured Videos
2019 Pitch for the Trades Winners
The overarching goal of this competition was to foster job creation for the trades and infuse entrepreneurship into apprenticeships and trades. Of 15 teams, NACCE awarded 5 with $75,000 in grant funding. Watch this video to see who won the Pitch for the Trades Competition in 2019.
2019 Pitch for the Trades Competition
Thank you to all of the NACCE members who participated in our 2019 Pitch for the Trades!
Featured Page Links
NACCE 2020 Pitch for the Trades
Building upon the success of 2019's Pitch for the Trades, NACCE has partnered with the Ratcliffe Foundation to launch NACCE's Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation Center of Entrepreneurship & Innovation. The 2020 VIRTUAL Pitch for the Trades competition awarded $125,000 in cash prizes to our winners!
NACCE 2019 Pitch for the Trades
During our inaugural Pitch for the Trades competition in 2019, the Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation awarded $75,000 in funds to five colleges in the following areas: Additive Manufacturing, Sustainable Building Construction, Construction Electrician Instruction, Skilled Trades Marketing Campaign and Entrepreneurial Courses Embedded in Cosmetology & Barbering Program.