A high-stakes competition backing Brooklyn businesses with the capital, visibility, and momentum to scale
Brooklyn Custom Builds and WONU each took home a $150,000 grand prize at the Social Justice Fund’s Brooklyn Pitch Competition, held on Tuesday, November 3, at The Centurion New York by American Express. The unrestricted funding will support business operations, hiring, and market expansion, helping both businesses grow while contributing to Brooklyn’s economy.
Launched in 2026, the Brooklyn Pitch Competition helps local businesses access the growth capital, strategic support, and connections they need to scale. The competition awards a total of $450,000 in unrestricted grant funding to selected Brooklyn-based businesses.
Designed for established businesses ready for their next stage of growth, the Brooklyn Pitch Competition celebrates entrepreneurs who are strengthening Brooklyn’s economy, creating jobs, expanding opportunities, and investing in their communities.
2026 Brooklyn Pitch Competition Winners
Brooklyn Custom Builds, based in East Williamsburg, builds custom-designed mobile offices, medical clinics, and command centers. Founded by Arthur Wei and Oliver Gallini, the company has grown rapidly through word-of-mouth referrals, competitive pricing, customization options, and its early positioning in a growing market for mobile vans. Brooklyn Custom Builds plans to use the grand prize to launch an outbound marketing campaign, with the goal of expanding its Brooklyn-based team and increasing production capacity.
WONU, based in Crown Heights, is a full-service creative, design, and production studio that curates in-person experiences for luxury retail brands. Founded and led by Jade Akintola, the studio is built on the belief that consumers are increasingly seeking meaningful, real-world connections. Operating in the $64 billion experiential marketing industry, WONU plans to use the funds to expand its full-time team and strengthen its senior leadership capacity to meet growing demand from existing and prospective clients.
The three other finalists each received prizes of $50,000. The winners and finalists will also receive investor introductions and capital matchmaking, strategic advisory sessions, and connections to procurement opportunities. The Brooklyn Pitch Competition finalists included:
● Malai (East Williamsburg) — South Asian-inspired ice cream company
● PhysioRX (Park Slope) — Physical therapy and performance training company
● Kirrin Finch (Navy Yard) — Ready-to-wear gender-inclusive suiting and apparel brand for women, trans, and non-binary individuals