I Hope You Get Rich: A New Pitch Competition for Asian American Entrepreneurs Launches in Oregon

Portland, OR – [Date] – Asian American business, social, and creative entrepreneurs in Oregon now have a new space to refine their ideas, build connections, and gain recognition with I Hope You Get Rich—a grassroots pitch competition designed to uplift and support the community.

Following in the footsteps of Pitch Black and Pitch Latino, I Hope You Get Rich is a two-part series providing mentorship, coaching, and a platform for emerging entrepreneurs. However, the first year of this competition is not centered on massive cash prizes—it’s about something deeper: visibility, feedback, and community support.

Presented by Tom Sollitt, a Korean American Adoptee and founder of Asian American Town that produces the Legendary Makers Market, Oregon’s largest Asian-centered festival, I Hope You Get Rich aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit through collaboration, shared knowledge, and providing a network of support. They are working in partnership with Tong Zhang and Zhou Fang.

How It Works

📅 May 2 – Initial Pitch & Coaching at TOMO Bouldering Club
Up to five participants will present their ideas and receive feedback from mentors and coaches at TOMO Bouldering Club, a brand-new space built from the ground up by a group of friends who envisioned a better climbing experience. TOMO embodies the spirit of ambition and perseverance, making it the ideal setting to launch a competition centered on bold ideas, resilience, and turning dreams into reality. (Apply to join us as a participant here or join our pool of mentors and coaches here)

📅 May 30 – Final Pitch & Live Audience Vote at Latino Founders
After working with mentors and refining their pitches throughout the month, participants will return for a final pitch event hosted at Latino Founders, in a powerful show of mutual support within Portland’s startup ecosystem, the event will bring together entrepreneurs and community members for an evening of innovation, collaboration, and celebration. A live audience will vote for the top three entrepreneurs based on their final pitches (EVENTBRITE $25 TICKET).

A Month of Entrepreneurship & Community

Beyond the pitch competition, May will feature a series of events celebrating entrepreneurship in all its forms. A standout highlight will be Korean American Night (교포 나이트) on May 17th presented in partnership with Emma Evans at 2nd and Salmon, shining a spotlight on members of the Korean diaspora who have followed their passions in food, art, music, and more—defying the traditional expectations of traditionally stable career paths.

More than just an event, Korean American Night will set a new bar for what a gathering can encompass, blending culture, creativity, and entrepreneurship into an unforgettable experience. It will serve as a powerful reminder that success comes in many forms and that forging your own path is something to be celebrated (FREE RSVP LINK).

A Competition Built on Community

Unlike traditional pitch competitions, I Hope You Get Rich isn’t about big cash prizes—funding will be modest, in the hundreds of dollars maybe more, but the real value lies in mentorship, connections, the opportunity to share ideas with a wider audience, and access a larger  community beyond Oregon.

“Success isn’t just about funding—it’s about access to knowledge, networks, and the confidence to take the next step,” said Tom Sollitt. “This event is about celebrating bold ideas and ensuring that Asian American entrepreneurs have the support they need to keep going.”

For more information, and sponsorship opportunities, or to apply, visit www.ihopeyougetrich.com or contact tom@asianamericantown.com.