Tony DiSilvestro’s Hot Seat is looking for entrepreneurs

CVA Editorial Team 2 min read October 1, 2026

A business pitch with a live audience

A business owner can spend years building a company and still struggle to explain what makes it different. Tony DiSilvestro’s Hot Seat Coaching turns that challenge into a live show: a 60-second business pitch followed by coaching and comedy.

The program’s first-season casting page invites entrepreneurs to apply for recordings at Ynot Italian in Virginia Beach. DiSilvestro, co-founder of Ynot Italian and founder of Trivergent Performance Coaching, hosts the series.

Why step into the spotlight?

The appeal goes beyond getting a company’s name in front of an audience. An owner who spends most days managing staff, customers and operations rarely gets to hear how a room of outsiders understands the business. A short pitch makes that response immediate.

It also forces a useful editing exercise. Which problem does the company solve? Who most needs its service? What should a listener remember after one minute? Working through those questions can improve everyday introductions, even before anyone steps onto a stage.

The organizer advertises a $1,000 award for each episode’s winner and a season-finale cash-and-coaching package valued at more than $20,000, including two months of Trivergent coaching. The larger figure is the package’s combined value.

Bring one clear story

Start with the customer, explain the problem and describe what your business does about it. Choose one concrete example of progress instead of trying to fit every milestone into the pitch. Then decide which business question you would most like an experienced coach to help answer.

The online application welcomes independent entrepreneurs as well as people connected with business organizations. Selected participants are recorded for broadcast, streaming and promotion. The casting page provides the application and taping information.