Women business owners with dreams of growing their small business have the opportunity to win $15,000 when they enter BankUnited’s Small Business, Big Dreams: Women in Business Challenge, which culminates during an annual gathering of women business leaders, owners and aspiring entrepreneurs on Tuesday, October 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale West Hotel in Plantation.

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Held during National Women’s Small Business Month in October, the Small Business, Big Dreams Summit includes a morning of inspirational talks, tips and networking opportunities, followed by a live pitch event featuring finalists of the small business challenge.

“At BankUnited, we are committed to fostering relationships that help business owners succeed. Each year, we gather established and up-and-coming women business leaders and small business owners to hear from some of the region’s most successful women in business, who generously share their insights about achieving success, overcoming challenges and leveraging support networks to benefit their businesses and communities,” said Lisa Shim, BankUnited senior executive vice president and head of technology and innovation.

The Summit will feature a keynote address by award-winning business leader, global influencer, and author Ann Marie Sorrell, CEO of The Mosaic Group. A panel discussion moderated by Shim will feature Germaine Smith-Baugh, president and CEO of the Urban League of Broward County; restaurateur Danielle Rosse; Francy Rueda, senior loan program manager at Miami Bayside Foundation; and last year’s winner of the Small Business, Big Dreams Challenge, Sydney Hughes, founder and CEO of Senior Proof.

Enter to Win

The Summit is a culmination of the Small Business, Big Dreams Challenge, which is now open and encourages women small business owners to complete an application, including a video-recorded three-minute pitch that addresses how their business would benefit from the $15,000 grand prize. Ten semi-finalists will be selected and will have the opportunity to present before a panel of judges at the live event in October. Cash prizes will be awarded to the grand prize winner ($15,000), first runner-up ($5,000) and second runner-up ($2,500).

The contest closes August 30 at 11:59 p.m. To be eligible, businesses must be based in Florida, New York or Texas, and must be at least 51 percent women-owned. For official contest rules and entry forms, please visit https://www.bankunited.com/small-business/small-business-big-dreams-challenge.

Tickets to attend the Summit are $25 per person and include continental breakfast and a grab & go lunch. Advance registration is required. The Renaissance Fort Lauderdale West Hotel is located at 1230 South Pine Island Road, Plantation. For more information and to register please visit https://www.eventcreate.com/e/small-business-big-dreams-women-in-business-summit-2024.

About BankUnited, N.A.

BankUnited, Inc. (NYSE: BKU), with total assets of $35.4 billion at June 30, 2024 is the bank holding company of BankUnited, N.A., a national bank headquartered in Miami Lakes, Florida that provides a full range of banking and related services to individual and corporate customers through banking centers located in the state of Florida, New York metropolitan area and Dallas, Texas, and a comprehensive suite of wholesale products to customers through an Atlanta office focused on the Southeast region. BankUnited also offers certain commercial lending and deposit products through national platforms. For additional information, call (877) 779-2265 or visit www.BankUnited.com. BankUnited can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/BankUnited.official and on Twitter @BankUnited.

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