Kansas City Entrepreneur and Cancer Survivor Wins Verizon Super Pitch Midwest Regional Competition, Advances to National Finals in New York area
June 23, 2026
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 23, 2026 — Liz Benditt, founder and CEO of The Balm Box, has been named the Verizon Small Business Super Pitch Midwest Regional Champion, defeating competitors from across a 12-state region at the live-pitch competition held June 19 in Kansas City, Kan. Benditt will now represent the Midwest at the national Super Pitch Finals in Hoboken, NJ on July 17, 2026, where she will compete for a $20,000 small business grant.
The Balm Box, based in Overland Park, Kan., ships research-backed care packages specifically designed for cancer patients navigating surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Founded in 2020 after Benditt’s sixth cancer diagnosis, the company has shipped more than 20,000 boxes and earned an NPS of 82 — a metric that rivals the world’s most beloved consumer brands.
“Winning this regional competition in my own backyard, in a city I love, means everything,” said Benditt. “But the real win is the visibility it brings to the cancer patients and caregivers we serve every day. They deserve to feel seen and understood — and that’s exactly what The Balm Box was built to do.”
The Verizon Small Business Super Pitch Competition recognizes small business owners across four U.S. regions for their passion, digital readiness, and compelling business stories. Entrants have all advanced their business through courses and resources available on Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready platform. The resources, part of Verizon’s holistic support of small businesses, are available for free, whether a small business owner is a Verizon customer or not.
Regional winners from the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West will face off in New Jersey on July 17, with grants awarded to the top four finalists: $20,000 for first place, $10,000 for second, and $5,000 each for third and fourth place.
As an added recognition, Verizon has awarded all four finalists tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium — a fitting backdrop for a founder who has spent six years competing in a category of her own making.
Benditt launched The Balm Box at age 46, retaining 100% ownership through six years of growth. The company’s product line spans treatment-specific care packages for breast cancer surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and more, with every item validated through primary research with 500+ cancer patients and caregivers. The Balm Box is sold at thebalmbox.com and on Amazon, Walmart, and Etsy.
“Kansas City has been rooting for this business since day one,” Benditt added. “Now we get to take Kansas City to New Jersey — and bring home that grant.”
About The Balm Box
The Balm Box ships research-backed, treatment-specific care packages for people navigating cancer. Founded in 2020 by six-time cancer survivor Liz Benditt, the company has shipped more than 20,000 boxes with a 93% five-star review rate and an NPS of 82. The Balm Box is available at thebalmbox.com and through major retail marketplaces. For more information, visit thebalmbox.com.
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