HBCU Innovation Takes Center Stage at the App Build & Pitch Competition!
Empowering the Next Generation of Tech Entrepreneurs
The HBCU App Build & Pitch Competition brought together top student innovators from Alabama’s HBCUs to showcase their creativity and technical expertise. Hosted at Montgomery Whitewater on April 9, 2025, this event provided students with an opportunity to gain real-world experience in app development, refine their pitching skills, and connect with industry professionals.
“The App Build & Pitch Competition is a testament to the brilliance and potential of our HBCU students,” said Charisse Stokes, Executive Director of The Alabama Collective. “By giving them real-world experience in app development and connecting them with tech leaders and mentors, we’re not just building apps—we’re building futures, one pitch at a time.”
Event Highlights
From a competitive pool of applicants, the top 10 teams joined us in Montgomery, where they participated in an Ecosystem Building Workshop, heard from industry experts at BESPIN, received expert coaching, and engaged in hands-on training. After an intense round of presentations, we narrowed it down to the top 5 teams, who pitched their fully functional applications in the Pitch Finale before a panel of esteemed judges.
Celebrating Our Winners
With nearly $20,000 in cash prizes on the line, teams delivered high-impact presentations, demonstrating innovation, creativity, and technical skill.
Congratulations to our winners!
🥇 First Place ($10,000): Mom Care – Alabama State University
🥈 Second Place ($3,000): Next Up– Alabama A&M
🥉 Third Place ($2,000): Fine Print – Talladega College
Honorable Mentions ($1,000 each):
🏅 SolaceAI – Stillman College & Talladega College
🏅 UBIZY – Oakwood University
Special Thanks
This event would not have been possible without the support of our incredible speakers, judges, and mentors, who generously shared their time and expertise to guide and inspire our student participants. A heartfelt thank you to Innovate Alabama and CSpire, whose sponsorship made this impactful event a reality.
What's Next
🚀 Mark your calendars for our upcoming pitch competitions!
📅 HBCU Business Pitch Competition – October 2025
📅 Innovate Alabama Entrepreneurship Hackathon – January 2026
Stay connected and be the first to hear about our next opportunities by following The Alabama Collective.
