The Alabama Collective presents the HBCU Business Pitch Competition at the Magic City Classic. This annual competition brings together the next generation of diverse innovators and small business founders, helping them turn their ideas into momentum. This year, in partnership with the Digitalundivided START program and supported by JPMorganChase we’ve made the experience bigger than a single day. Selected competitors get a three-week virtual incubator to sharpen their concept before they ever step up to pitch, then compete in person for cash prizes during Magic City Classic weekend in Birmingham.
It’s completely FREE to participate, and you don’t need a polished business plan or years of experience to apply. If you have an idea, a side hustle, or a fresh way to solve a problem, you can step in, get trained, and compete. The application is simple, and the program is built to guide you every step of the way.
This year we’re adding something special for the The Alabama Collective community. If you’ve ever taken part in an Alabama Collective program, event, or training, you’re eligible to join START – Digitalundivided’s three-week virtual incubator that helps you shape your idea into a launch-ready business before you step on stage. START participants also earn an automatic slot in the Round 1 Pitch Booths on competition day.
Spots are limited, and only applicants who have been a part of the TAC community will be eligible for selection into the incubator. Applications are reviewed against our program records, so be sure to register early once the application opens on August 15. Participation in a previous TAC program will be confirmed before acceptance into the incubator.
| Intent to Compete Opens | August 15, 2026 |
| Intent to Compete Due | September 6, 2026 |
| Notification of Acceptance | September 14, 2026 |
| START Incubator Intake Form Due | September 20, 2026 |
| Virtual Incubator – Week 1 | Week of September 28, 2026 (Monday & Wednesday) |
| Virtual Incubator – Week 2 | Week of October 5, 2026 (Monday & Wednesday) |
| Virtual Incubator – Week 3 | Week of October 12, 2026 (Monday & Wednesday) |
| In-Person Training & Pitch Competition | October 29, 2026 in Birmingham |
You must be affiliated with an Alabama HBCU as a student, recent graduate, or faculty/staff and have participated in a previous TAC program
Your business idea should fall into one of the following categories:
A three-week virtual incubator (START) to refine your concept before you pitch.
No video submissions or slideshow presentations required.
Compete individually or as a team (4 members max).
A 3-minute pitch to describe your idea to the judges, no slides, no audio-visuals.
Booths organized by topic, with a cash award for the top scorer at each booth.
A live Pitch Finale where top scorers compete for additional cash prizes.
A full day of entrepreneurship training, group mentoring, and a Lunch & Learn.
$4,000
$3,000
$2,000
$1,000
The judges will be listening closely for a narrative that’s easy to understand, relatable, and grounded in examples. Your pitch should be simple, clear, and to the point.
Tip: Practice so you can deliver your pitch confidently in 3 minutes. Keep it clear, energetic, and focused, judges should leave knowing exactly what your idea is and why it matters.
Please send an email to hbcu-ie@tidalits.com with any questions.
The Alabama Collective (TAC) is building a more inclusive, tech-driven economy across Alabama. Guided by the principles of Expose, Educate, Engage, and Empower, TAC connects talent, training, and opportunity—helping students, founders, and communities transform ideas into impact.
