Alabama HBCU Student Awarded Grand Prize For Networking Platform Creating Community Among Student Interns
The HBCU entrepreneurship community in Birmingham, AL, just received a funding boost.
Alabama leads the nation in the number of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), with 14 institutions statewide. Ten of those HBCUs participated in the 2026 HBCU Business Pitch Competition at the Magic City Classic, held Thursday, Oct. 29, at Topgolf Birmingham. The Alabama Collective co-hosted the event with digitalundivided. JPMorganChase Foundation, HBCU C.A.R.E.S., and Nebius served as sponsors.
In its fourth year, the competition welcomed students, faculty, and alums from 51 teams to pitch their business ventures at no cost, showcasing ideas at various stages of development — from early-stage concepts to launched businesses — for a chance to win a share of $20,000 in direct cash prizes. In addition, they benefited from real-time coaching and mentorship from leaders including Amanda Williams, managing director of Prosper HealthTech Accelerator powered by gener8tor; Jason Watters Sr., workforce development manager of Alabama Power (Southern Co.); and more.
