"The Pitch Place" Named Top 10 Finalist for the

2025 Next Challenge NewsTech Division for Media & Journalism Award

April 17, 2025, Washington, D.C. — The Next Challenge for Media & Journalism has selected THE PITCH PLACE out of nearly 1,000 applicants to be included among 27 finalists for their 2025 awards. The finalists are divided into three categories:​

• Future of Local Journalism, supported by the MacAuthor Foundation
• NewsTech, supported by the Knight Foundation
• Open-Source Intelligence​, supported by the McKnight Foundation

The Pitch Place was selected in the NewsTech division. which recognizes startups developing digital tools to address the critical tech needs of journalists and local news organizations.​ Founded in 2023, The Pitch Place is a global news and media networking platform designed specifically to help journalists connect, find and post job offers, pitch story ideas, and cover breaking news from anywhere. The platform enables freelance journalists to pitch stories to commissioning editors and provides editors with access to journalists on location whenever and wherever breaking news happens. Editors can manage their freelance teams using collaborative editing tools, streamlining the process of finding and assigning stories.​

"Being named a finalist in the NewsTech category is a significant milestone for us," said Philippe Bregeon, cofounder of The Pitch Place. "Our mission is to empower journalists and editors by providing a platform that facilitates efficient collaboration and ensures timely compensation."

Having worked as both a commissioning editor and a freelance journalist, cofounder Christina Reed launched The Pitch Place with Philippe to address the technological gap in the news industry. "Even when they see a great pitch, many editors don't have the resources or the time to onboard a new freelancer. With The Pitch Place, editors can find the great stories they want to cover, the tools to manage the work load, and the personal referrals they need to be confident the journalist is uniquely qualified for the job," she said.

The Next Challenge is the largest startup competition in the United States open to both nonprofit and for-profit media ventures. This year, up to $200,000 in grants will be awarded across the three categories, including $50,000 division prizes and a $25,000 Grand Prize for one standout finalist.​

Finalists receive national visibility, strategic support, and the opportunity to pitch to leading funders, accelerators, and partners committed to the future of journalism.​

To learn more about The Next Challenge and view all 2025 finalists, visit https://thenextchallenge.com.

The Pitch Place selected Startup Semi-Finalists North America!

Press Release

Jan. 21, 2025

The Pitch Place Advances to SG Global Pitch Battle – North America Semi-Final

Washington, D.C. – The Pitch Place, a pioneering platform revolutionizing the way media professionals connect and collaborate, has been selected as a finalist in the SG Global Pitch Battle Semi-Final for North America. This exciting virtual event, held on January 21, 2025, showcased top startups from SG Chapter battles across the US and Canada.

Out of over 1,500 global applicants, The Pitch Place was among the top 4%, selected as one of the 59 startups to compete. It was chosen for its innovative approach to bridging the gap between freelance journalists and media publishers, providing an efficient platform for pitches, collaborations, and networking. The Pitch Place is now competing for a spot in the finals, where only three of the North American semi-finalists will advance.

“We’re thrilled to have made it this far in such a prestigious global competition,” said Christina Reed, co-founder of The Pitch Place. “Our mission is to empower media professionals by providing a streamlined platform that helps facilitate connections, collaborations, and growth within the industry. This recognition validates our commitment to transforming the media space.”

During the semi-final pitch battle, 16 regional startups, including The Pitch Place, presented their business ideas to a panel of expert judges. Christina had just two minutes to pitch The Pitch Place, with no slides or feedback provided during the event. The judges then deliberated and selected The Pitch Place and two other startups to advance. They will compete against all regional winners from across North America on Jan. 23.

The SG Global Pitch Battle is renowned for its high-energy format, highlighting global innovation and emerging talent. The final competition promises to feature groundbreaking startups from across the world, with the potential for winning startups to gain valuable exposure, networking opportunities, and investment.

About The Pitch Place

The Pitch Place is an innovative platform designed to revolutionize the way media professionals collaborate. By simplifying the pitching process and connecting freelance journalists with editors and media publishers, The Pitch Place empowers creators, enhances workflow efficiency, and drives meaningful partnerships. The platform aims to become the go-to hub for media professionals worldwide, setting new standards in the industry.

About SG Global Pitch Battle

• The SG Global Pitch Battle is a global competition that showcases startups from all over the world, celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship. Each regional semi-final brings together the best of the best from various industries, offering a unique opportunity for startups to gain exposure and compete for top honors in the final event.

The Pitch Place Joins ZEBOX Club as a Cutting-Edge Innovator in Media Technology

Jan. 8, 2025, Washington, D.C. – The Pitch Place, an innovative online platform revolutionizing the way journalists and editors collaborate, is proud to announce its selection as part of ZEBOX Club, an exclusive accelerator program supporting high-potential startups in the digital economy.

This prestigious invitation to ZEBOX Club marks a significant milestone for The Pitch Place, recognizing its unique approach to streamlining the pitching process and empowering freelance journalists and media editors. The Pitch Place connects journalists directly with editors in need of high-quality, reliable content, enabling freelancers to pitch their story ideas, collaborate with editors, and receive timely payment for their work.

“We are thrilled to be chosen to join ZEBOX Club and excited about the opportunities it will unlock,” said Philippe Bregeon, cofounder of The Pitch Place. “This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to transform how content is created in the media industry. ZEBOX's expertise and resources will help us scale our platform and further revolutionize the freelance media ecosystem.”

As part of the ZEBOX Club, The Pitch Place will have access to a robust network of industry leaders, mentors, and potential investors who will provide invaluable guidance and support as the company continues to grow. The program’s focus on technology, innovation, and international expansion will accelerate The Pitch Place’s development and help solidify its position as a leader in the digital media space.

About The Pitch Place: The Pitch Place is an online platform designed to connect freelance journalists with media editors, allowing them to pitch, collaborate, and get paid for their content. With a focus on innovation, ease of use, and financial security for freelancers, The Pitch Place is revolutionizing how content is created and shared within the media industry.

About ZEBOX: ZEBOX is a global accelerator program that supports high-growth startups in the digital, technological, and sustainable industries. With a focus on innovation, ZEBOX provides startups with the resources, expertise, and network they need to scale globally and transform their respective industries.

The Pitch Place Among Top 20 Startup Finalists!

• The Pitch Place is one of 20 international startups competing as finalists for a media Startup Award in Marseille, France.
• CMA CGM, an international trade group, organized the Startup Awards in collaboration with BFM Business and La Tribune, and will announce the winners at the Artificial Intelligence Marseille (AIM) summit on November 15, 2024.
• The award includes tailored support and financial equity investment of up to €150,000 from ZEBOX, the international startup accelerator.

Update Nov. 15, 2024 – The Pitch Place has won a spot in the next ZEBOX accelerator program!

Details to come. We would like to thank CMA CGM and the Media Group for the opportunity to present The Pitch Place on the international stage. We look forward to launching our pilot project soon!

Nov. 4, 2024 Washington, D.C. – The Pitch Place, an innovative platform designed to revolutionize the way media professionals connect and work, is one of 20 startups selected as finalists to compete for the prestigious CMA CGM Startup Awards on Nov. 15 in Marseille, France, during the city’s AI summit. From a pool of 450 applicants, 60 finalists were chosen, 20 for each of the three categories of awards: media, shipping, and logistics. This recognition highlights The Pitch Place’s commitment to enhancing collaboration within the media industry and its potential to drive transformative change.

The CMA CGM Startup Awards for media honors innovative technologies and strategies transforming communication and customer engagement. The Pitch Place qualified for the award based on its mission to facilitate meaningful connections between media creators and industry stakeholders. The Pitch Place is building a streamlined platform for pitches, collaborations, and networking, with the goal of setting new standards in the media landscape.

The award winners will be selected and announced during the AI Marseille summit, an event renowned for bringing together thought leaders and innovators from various sectors. “Our team is working hard to provide a collaborative platform that will streamline and drive innovation in the media space,” said Philippe Brégeon, co-founder of The Pitch Place who will represent the company during the award selection event “The use of AI in our platform will help editors identify the best pitches for their audience and provide journalists a way to find the best home for their stories,” he added.

With features that facilitate feedback and collaboration, The Pitch Place aims to engage freelance journalists, including print and multimedia with content publishers in the news and media industry.

“We started The Pitch Place as a means to provide a platform of solutions to serious workflow constraints between freelance journalists and editors,” said Christina Reed, co-founder of The Pitch Place and media industry expert. “Through our efforts we are finding a community aimed at empowering media professionals around the world.”