Innovation Takes Center Stage at the 2026 HBCU Business Pitch Competition
Energy filled the bays at Topgolf Birmingham as The Alabama Collective and cohost digitalundivided hosted the 2026 HBCU Business Pitch Competition on Thursday, October 29. HBCU students, recent graduates, faculty, and staff from across Alabama pitched their business ideas and competed for a share of $20,000 in cash prizes.
More than a competition, the day served as a launchpad: hands-on entrepreneurship training, small group mentoring with industry leaders, and real-time feedback from judges who build and fund businesses for a living.
A New Path to the Stage
This year introduced START, digitalundivided’s flagship pre-revenue incubator, offered to members of The Alabama Collective community with support from JPMorgan Chase. Over three weeks and fully virtual, selected participants used Lean Startup methodology to build a working Business Model Canvas and sharpen their pitch before competition day. START participants earned a $250 completion stipend, awarded on event day.
Open entry brought the rest of the field. Founders who had never been part of a TAC program applied, walked in with an idea, and left as part of the community.
Thank You
The 2026 competition was made possible by cohost digitalundivided, funder JPMorgan Chase, and sponsors HBCU CARES and NEBIUS, along with the judges, speakers, trainers, mentors, and volunteers who gave their day to Alabama’s founders.
