In partnership with Innovate Alabama, The Alabama Collective engages with HBCUs across the state bringing emerging technology, training, innovation and entrepreneurial experiences to strengthen their student base and enhance their staff and communities. This dynamic alliance has already achieved remarkable milestones, igniting innovation and entrepreneurship among HBCU communities throughout Alabama.
The HBCU Innovation Experience; Innovation Power Hours are where students and faculty participate in various digital skills learning labs on their campus.
This Fall, we’re kicking off the semester with HBCU Innovation Power Hours—a high-energy, action-packed event designed to ignite your creativity, dive into design thinking, explore the latest in tech, and launch your entrepreneurial dreams while leveraging the power of AI. Stay tuned for the release of our Fall 2025 Innovation Power Hour Schedule and join us at one of our campus visits.
Are you ready to lead, innovate, and bring the next wave of tech and entrepreneurship to your HBCU?
Selections for the Fall 2025 HBCU IE Student Ambassador Program have been made, congratulate these individuals when you see them on campus or hit them up on social!
Missed This Round? Stay Connected
If you missed this opportunity, don’t worry! We encourage you to stay engaged with The Alabama Collective for future programs and initiatives. Sign up below to receive updates and be the first to know when new opportunities arise.
The Magic City Classic Business Pitch Competition is a premier event that spotlights the entrepreneurial talent within Alabama’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). A key highlight of the Magic City Classic weekend, the competition brings together student-led teams from Alabama HBCUs to pitch innovative business ideas and compete for funding, mentorship, and exposure.
The competition begins with each team submitting a video pitch, which undergoes a rigorous evaluation by a panel of judges. The top 10 teams advance to an in-person Pitch Training Workshop, where they receive hands-on coaching in MVP development, business financing, and effective pitching strategies from experienced mentors and industry professionals.
Following the workshop, teams present in a semi-final round, with the top five advancing to the Pitch Finale. There, finalists present their refined pitches to a distinguished panel of judges, competing for funding awards and recognition that can help accelerate their entrepreneurial journeys.
Celebrating innovation, collaboration, and the power of HBCU excellence, the Magic City Classic Business Pitch Competition is more than a contest—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The App Build & Pitch Competition is an opportunity for HBCU Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni teams to showcase their creativity and tech prowess by building an application and then pitching it to key stakeholders, investors, and possible employers. Our competition invites HBCU students, alumni, faculty, and staff to shine a spotlight on their software application development skills, cultivate practical skills, and vie for resources that can transform their ideas into tangible realities.
In collaboration with Builders + Backers, we expand entrepreneurial opportunities for HBCU students and alumni across Alabama as winners of The Alabama Collective’s various Pitch Competitions receive automatic acceptance into the prestigious Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator program along with up to $5,000 in non-dilutive funding and dedicated venture studio support.
