HBCU Business Pitch Competition
@Magic City Classic
Join us on October 24-25, 2024 for a chance to win $10,000! 💸
Application Deadline: October 14, 2024
About the Event
The “HBCU Business Pitch Competition @ Magic City Classic” is a monumental endeavor designed to fuel innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment within the historically Black college and university (HBCU) community. Our competition invites HBCU students and alumni to shine a spotlight on their ingenious business concepts, cultivate practical skills, and vie for resources that can transform their entrepreneurial dreams into tangible realities. To learn more, watch the information session recording below.
Mark The Date
Round I
October 14, 2024
Round II
October 24, 2024
Round III
October 25, 2024
Our Mission
The Alabama Collective is at the forefront of expanding and enriching emerging tech, innovation, and entrepreneurial initiatives in Alabama. We are dedicated to fostering diversity and growth within the state’s tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem, serving as a vital hub for minority tech talent and entrepreneurs while preserving the foundational infrastructure crucial for economic prosperity.
The Awards
🥇1st Place
$10,000
🥈2nd Place
$3,000
$2,000
2 HONORABLE
MENTION
PARTICIPANTS WILL
EACH RECEIVE
$500
Following the Round III Pitch Finale, all pitch presentations, the judges will deliberate thoughtfully to select the winners. The judging criteria will encompass factors such as impact, creativity, complexity, work product and quality delivery of presentation.
Eligibility Criteria
BUSINESS IDEAS
Participants can submit business ideas spanning a wide range of industries, including technology, social entrepreneurship, healthcare, education, and more. The focus is on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the HBCU community.
ALUMNI
Alumni who have completed their undergraduate or graduate degree from an Alabama HBCU no earlier than 2021 are eligible to participate. This means that alumni who graduated in 2021 or later can take part in the competition.
STUDENTS
Application Process
- Watch the Virtual Information Session - Click here to view
- Submit an Intent to Compete Due - October 2, 2024 - Submit Here
- Review the application and judging criteria to ensure your video covers key evaluation areas.
- Video pitches must not exceed 3 minutes. All permissions on videos should be open to anyone with the link.
- Complete the online application by Monday, October 14, 2024, at 7:00 PM (no late submissions).
Competition Process
Round I
The HBCU Business Pitch competition will be divided into three rounds. Teams that advance to the Top 10 must be available for a two day in-person session on October 24th and 25th.
Round I: Video Pitch Submission
Deadline to apply: October 14, 2024 at 7:00 PM.
Before submitting, please make sure to read through the judging criteria. This is an important first step in understanding this contest.
Round II
The top 10 teams will be invited to the Round II – Pitch and Training Workshop in Birmingham, AL. Here is the tentative schedule:
Round II: Thursday, October 24
1:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Training Workshop and Top 10 Pitching
Prepare for a full day of hands-on workshops covering MVP development, legal structures, and business financing. Afterward, dive into an interactive pitch training to sharpen your presentation skills. You’ll then pitch your business to the judges in a three-minute window, followed by a dynamic Q&A session. The top five teams will be selected, and the day will conclude with a lively networking reception, where you can connect with fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors.
Round III
The top 5 teams will advance to the Pitch Finale to compete for the grand prize, $10,000 in non-dilutive funding.
8:50 AM – 3:30 PM
Day 2 kicks off with Round III of the competition, where the top five teams battle it out in the final pitch showdown. The excitement continues with speed networking and an engaging panel discussion, leading up to the announcement of the pitch competition winners. Afterward, hit the green for golf and more networking opportunities, followed by a SeekAL engagement session packed with valuable insights.
The Encore
The fun doesn’t stop yet! The Top 10 finalists are invited to an unforgettable experience on Saturday, October 26. Start the day on your own with the Magic City Classic Parade, followed by an exciting tailgate filled with food, fun, and networking. Then, head to the Magic City Classic Football Game, where tickets are provided for the top 10 teams.
The Encore
Saturday, October 26
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
It’s the perfect way to celebrate your achievements while enjoying one of the biggest events of the year!
Competition Objectives
EMPOWER HBCU INNOVATORS
BUILD NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
SHOWCASE DIVERSE TALENTS
PROMOTE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
- Non-Dilutive Funding for their business idea
- Great networking opportunities
- Access to senior government, business and industry executives
- Entrepreneurship mentoring and coaching
- VIP event status for the top 10 finalists
- Training workshops on finance, customer discovery, pitch preparation and corporate structures
- Pitch feedback and one-on-one coaching
News & Updates
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