The Alabama Collective presents the HBCU Business Pitch Competition at the Magic City Classic, cohosted this year with digitalundivided and supported by JPMorgan Chase. This annual competition brings together the next generation of diverse innovators and small business founders and helps them turn their ideas into momentum.
What makes this competition exciting;: you do NOT need a business plan, a slide deck, or years of experience. You need an idea and three minutes. Everything else; the training, the mentoring, the coaching on how to tell your story, happens on competition day alongside you.
It is completely FREE to participate. If you have an idea, a side hustle, or a fresh way to solve a problem, you can step in and compete for a share of $20,000 in cash prizes at Topgolf Birmingham on Thursday, October 29.
The earlier Intent to Compete and START application window has closed, and those submissions do not carry forward to this round. If you filled one out, thank you, and welcome back. This application is a separate step, and completing it by October 16 is the only way to enter to compete on October 29.
It takes about ten minutes. Do it now so it is done.
| Applications Opem | September 25, 2026 |
| Virtual Info Session | Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 7:30 p.m. CST |
| Applications Close | October 16, 2026 |
| Competitor Confirmations | Week of October 19, 2026 |
| In-Person Training & Pitch Competition | October 29, 2026 at Topgolf Birmingham |
Come hear how the competition works, what the judges are looking for, and what to expect on competition day. Bring your questions.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 7:30 p.m. CST Virtual
You must be affiliated with an Alabama HBCU as a student, a recent graduate within the last three years, or faculty and staff
Hover over tiles for more information.
Apply by October 16. The application takes about ten minutes.
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.
Answer 3 minutes of judge questions.
Booths organized by topic, with a cash award for the top scorer at each booth.
A live Pitch Finale where top booth scorers compete for additional cash prizes.
A full day of entrepreneurship training, group mentoring, and a Lunch & Learn.
A $50 travel stipend is available to each team traveling more than 25 miles into Birmingham. One stipend per team. To qualify, team members must be present for the full day of entrepreneurship training, the Pitch Finale, and the Networking Reception on Thursday, October 29. Team leads confirm travel distance on the application. Stipends are delivered at the end of the event.
The judges will be listening for a narrative that is easy to understand, relatable, and grounded in examples. Your pitch should be simple, clear, and to the point.
Judges score every team on five categories, ten points each, for a total of fifty points per round:
Tip: Practice so you can deliver your pitch confidently in three 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.