Innovation happens through connection. Our engagement programs bring students, founders, professionals, investors, corporate leaders, and community partners together through competitions, networking experiences, workshops, and collaborative challenges.
Participants don’t just learn about entrepreneurship—they practice it. They build, pitch, network, solve problems, receive feedback, and develop relationships that can open doors long after the event ends.
The Magic City Classic Business Pitch Competition is a premier celebration of entrepreneurial talent, innovation, and HBCU excellence. Held during the Magic City Classic weekend, the annual competition brings together student entrepreneurs from Alabama’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to showcase innovative business ideas and compete for funding, mentorship, and valuable exposure.
Designed to connect emerging founders with experienced entrepreneurs, investors, alumni, and community leaders, the competition combines entrepreneurship training, mentorship, networking, and live pitching into an immersive experience. Participants develop and refine their ideas, receive hands-on guidance from industry experts, and have the opportunity to compete for cash prizes to help move their ventures forward.
The experience culminates in a high-energy Pitch Finale featuring top-performing founders and their innovative ideas.
More than a competition, the Magic City Classic Business Pitch Competition is a launchpad for the next generation of HBCU entrepreneurs—creating connections, building confidence, and turning ideas into opportunities.
The HBCU App Build & Pitch Competition brings together HBCU students, faculty, staff, and alumni to turn ideas into technology-driven solutions. Teams design and build software applications and then pitch their concepts to industry leaders, investors, employers, and other key stakeholders.
The competition provides participants with a hands-on opportunity to develop practical application development, problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and presentation skills while gaining valuable feedback and connections within Alabama’s growing technology and innovation ecosystem.
Through the experience, participants showcase their technical creativity, collaborate across disciplines, and compete for resources and opportunities that can help transform promising ideas into tangible solutions.
More than a competition, the HBCU App Build & Pitch Competition is a platform for emerging innovators to build, showcase, connect, and take their ideas to the next level.
The Innovate Alabama Entrepreneurship Hackathon aims to engage college students from across Alabama to identify and create innovative solutions benefiting communities across the state.
Each year brings a new problem to address, igniting the entrepreneurial spirit while participants work on crafting venture plans that are self-sustainable, impactful, and creative.
The top teams are awarded substantial cash prizes, mentoring, and grant funding, underlining our commitment to nurturing and empowering Alabama’s emerging talent in entrepreneurship and tech innovation.
The HBCU Greek & Business Mixer is an annual celebration of HBCU excellence, Greek-letter organization legacy, entrepreneurship, and professional connection. The event brings together students, alumni, founders, business leaders, government and community leaders, and professionals from across Alabama to build meaningful relationships and create opportunities for collaboration.
Designed to connect culture with commerce, the mixer provides an intentional space for networking, mentorship, business development, and community impact. Through authentic conversations and strategic connections, attendees are encouraged to move beyond traditional networking and build relationships that support the next generation of HBCU students, entrepreneurs, innovators, and technology leaders.
Held during the Department of the Air Force Information Technology and Cyberpower Conference (DAFITC), the event creates a unique opportunity to bring Alabama’s HBCU and Greek communities together with the broader technology, business, and innovation ecosystem.
Engaging, solutions-focused discussions designed to connect professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and tech enthusiasts around the most pressing issues and emerging trends in technology. These intimate sessions bring together industry experts, thought leaders, and innovators for candid conversations on topics ranging from AI and cybersecurity to startup development, digital equity, and tech policy.
Held in a collaborative setting, the roundtables encourage knowledge-sharing, networking, and real-time problem solving. Participants gain valuable insights, forge meaningful connections, and leave with actionable ideas to drive innovation in their own work and communities.
Whether you’re a tech veteran, a curious learner, or a founder building the next big thing, the Tech Roundtables offer a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, explore opportunities, and help shape the future of technology.
All Access @ The Classic are networking events that include engaging panel discussions held alongside the various HBCU classic football game weekends across the state. These events offer unique opportunities for tech talent and entrepreneurs to connect in a relaxed and enjoyable setting, all while gaining valuable insights and resources to enhance their individual enterprises.
Read about All Access @ The Classic: Entrepreneurs Edition 2024 here.
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.