Your pitch might explain what you do—but does it sell why it matters? Join Startup Grind Tulsa for Pitch Perfect(ly Marketed), where founders take the mic to present their products, services, and stories—then get real-time feedback from marketing and branding pros.
Our panel of judges will dissect the strengths, opportunities, and market positioning of each pitch—helping founders refine their storytelling, sharpen their brand message, and connect with customers faster.

Whether you’re pitching, judging, or cheering from the audience, this event delivers practical insights on what makes a pitch marketable.

Meet our Judges (they are more supportive than judgy, I promise ;))

Shar Caesar Douglas

Shar Caesar Douglas is an award-winning marketing executive and Ad Age 40 Under 40 honoree with over 15 years of experience leading global marketing strategy for brands like TIDAL, YouTube, and Shutterfly. She specializes in brand growth, audience engagement, and creative storytelling across technology and entertainment. As a founding member of The Syndicate, a Black female investor network, Shar is passionate about helping emerging founders translate vision into market impact.

Adebukola “Ade” Ajao

Adebukola “Ade” Ajao is the founder of For All Things Digital, a marketing consultancy that helps small businesses build authentic, high-impact digital brands. A freelance writer and educator, her work has been featured in Adweek, Teen Vogue, HuffPost, Vice, Blavity, and more. She teaches marketing at Northeastern University and brings expertise in digital strategy, storytelling, and community-driven growth—along with hands-on experience supporting innovation and equity initiatives like Jaylen Brown’s BXChang project.

John Eix

John Eix is the Director of Business Development & Marketing at Crowe & Dunlevy, where he applies decades of professional services marketing experience to drive growth and visibility for one of the region’s leading law firms. Based in Tulsa, John excels at building strategic client relationships, aligning marketing with business development goals, and elevating brand presence across Oklahoma and Texas. His deep insight into regional ecosystems and his collaborative approach make him an ideal judge for this year’s Startup Grind pitch competition focused on marketing excellence.

Raheel S. Malik

Raheel S. Malik is the Founder and Principal Partner of FirstGen Agency, where he helps startups and emerging companies translate bold ideas into impactful go-to-market strategies. With a deep background in marketing, brand storytelling, and sales development, Raheel brings practical insight into what makes a pitch resonate. As a growth strategist and startup advisor, he’s passionate about helping founders refine their messaging, position for scale, and show up with clarity when it matters most.

What a great panel of judges! We look forward to seeing you for this special Global Entrepreneurship Week Tulsa GRIND!