My Experience at TitleNine’s Pitchfest
This past September, I had the incredible honor of participating in TitleNine’s Pitchfest Outdoor Edition — an experience that was equal parts challenging, inspiring, and empowering.
For anyone unfamiliar, TitleNine is a women-owned, women-run outdoor and activewear company that champions female entrepreneurs who are building purpose-driven brands. Each year, they host Pitchfest Outdoor Edition, where nine female-founded brands are invited to pitch their products at TitleNine’s headquarters in Emeryville, California, for a chance to win a purchase order for the following year.
The journey began weeks before the event when each of us was paired with a mentor — most commonly, a past Pitchfest winner who helped guide us through the process. I was lucky enough to be matched with Jen from Alpine Fit, who was such a wealth of knowledge (and positivity!). She helped me dig deep to refine my pitch — the why behind Saturday Swimwear — in a way that felt both strategic and true to me.
From there, we participated in a series of pre-pitch workshops that prepared us for the big day. These sessions covered everything from crafting a compelling pitch to tackling the hard-hitting financial questions — the kind that make you squirm a little but ultimately help you grow as a founder.
Then came the real adventure: flying down to TitleNine’s headquarters in Emeryville, California. They put us up in a hotel for two nights, and the moment I walked into the lobby and met the other finalists, I knew I was surrounded by something special. There were nine brands and eleven founders total, each one passionate, purpose-driven, and doing amazing things in their own corners of the outdoor world.
Day one was packed: we dove into an inventory planning workshop, followed by a marketing session, then a ropes course designed to quite literally help us get out of our comfort zones and connect with each other on a deeper level. That night, we joined TitleNine’s Movers & Makers for dinner — women who’ve paved the way for brands like ours.
Day two — Pitch Day — started with breakfast, coffee, and the sweetest goodie bags (all from woman-owned businesses, of course). After a quick team activity and a few inspiring speeches, it was time to pitch. We each had seven minutes to present and seven minutes of Q&A with the judges.
After the last pitch, we broke for lunch while the judges deliberated. One of my favorite parts of Pitchfest is that it’s not a competition in the traditional sense — technically, every brand has the opportunity to win. TitleNine isn’t looking for the “best” idea; they’re looking for partnerships and products that align with their values and community.
When the moment came, four winners were announced:
Charlene from Luxxefit
Mel from TOBIQ
Abby and Sam from Saturday Strides
And… me, with Saturday Swimwear!
It was such an emotional moment — the culmination of years of hard work, growth, and persistence.
After the pitches, we transitioned into a marketplace, where attendees could shop products from all of the finalist brands. It was such a fun way to connect directly with people, tell our stories, and celebrate together.
Looking back, the entire experience was so much more than a pitch competition. It was about community, connection, and empowerment. I walked away feeling inspired, supported, and so grateful to now be part of a network of badass female entrepreneurs who are redefining what it means to build a purpose-driven brand.
Winning a purchase order from TitleNine was truly the cherry on top — but the relationships, inspiration, and confidence I gained are what I’ll carry with me the longest.
— Emily LaPlume, Founder of Saturday Swimwear