ABOUT THE EVENT

The "HBCU Business Pitch Competition @ Magic City Classic" is a monumental endeavor designed to fuel innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment within the historically Black college and university (HBCU) community. Our competition invites HBCU students, alumni, faculty, and staff to shine a spotlight on their ingenious business concepts, cultivate practical skills, and vie for resources that can transform their entrepreneurial dreams into tangible realities.
About Event

MARK THE DATE

Friday
October 27, 2023
9:00 AM
Top Golf
 1111 24th St N,
 Birmingham, AL

OUR MISSION

The Alabama Collective is at the forefront of expanding and enriching emerging tech, innovation, and entrepreneurial initiatives in Alabama. We are dedicated to fostering diversity and growth within the state's tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem, serving as a vital hub for minority tech talent and entrepreneurs while preserving the foundational infrastructure crucial for economic prosperity.
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THE AWARDS

1st place $10,000
2ND PLACE $5,000
3RD PLACE $2,500
5 HONORABLE MENTION PARTICIPANTS WILL EACH RECEIVE
$500

Following all pitch presentations, the judges will deliberate thoughtfully to select the winners. Click here to view the juding criteria.

The judging criteria will encompass factors such as innovation, market potential, scalability, and the overall quality of the pitch.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Students

Current undergraduate and graduate students from Alabama Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are eligible to participate. Students from all years of study are encouraged to apply.

Faculty and Staff

Faculty members and staff currently employed by an Alabama HBCU are also welcome to participate.

Alumni

Alumni who have completed their undergraduate or graduate degree from an Alabama HBCU no earlier than 2020 are eligible to participate. This means that alumni who graduated in 2020 or later can take part in the competition.

Business Ideas

Participants can submit business ideas spanning a wide range of industries, including technology, social entrepreneurship, healthcare, education, and more. The focus is on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the HBCU community.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

COMPETITION OBJECTIVES

EMPOWER HBCU ENTREPRENEURS

EMPOWER HBCU ENTREPRENEURS

We are dedicated to empowering HBCU students, alumni, faculty, and staff, propelling their entrepreneurial aspirations to new heights. We aim to instill confidence and nurture a culture of entrepreneurship within the HBCU community.
EMPOWER HBCU ENTREPRENEURS

BUILD NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

Our competition serves as a dynamic networking nexus for HBCU entrepreneurs. Participants have the opportunity to form collaborations, share insights, and establish partnerships that can accelerate their ventures.
EMPOWER HBCU ENTREPRENEURS

SHOWCASE DIVERSE TALENTS

HBCUs boast a rich diversity of perspectives and talent. This competition endeavors to spotlight the multifaceted talents within the HBCU community and illustrate their capacity to make significant contributions to the broader entrepreneurial landscape.
EMPOWER HBCU ENTREPRENEURS

PROMOTE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

Our aim is to contribute to the economic empowerment of the HBCU community. By nurturing and bolstering HBCU-owned enterprises, we aspire to create sustainable economic opportunities and catalyze positive socioeconomic impact.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The HBCU Business Pitch Competition @ Magic City Classic is designed to harness the creativity, collaboration, and growth potential within the HBCU community.

Please note that all participants must adhere to the specified application deadline and submit their 3-minute video pitches by 7:00 PM on October 20, 2023. There is no entry or application fee, making the competition accessible to a broad spectrum of aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators within the Alabama HBCU community.

APPLICATION PHASE

Interested participants must submit a link to their 3-minute video explaining their business concept and/or business and pitching their visions. Applicants must ensure that their video link is submitted by 7:00 PM on October 20, 2023.

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COMPETITION PROCESS

Evaluation

A panel of esteemed judges will rigorously assess the quality of the business/business concept, the clarity of the pitch, and the innovation and feasibility of the idea. Click here to view the juding criteria.

From the pool of applicants, the judges will meticulously curate a selection of 5 finalists who will be notified and offered the opportunity to advance to the next round.

Final Pitch Event

During our live event on Friday, October 27th in Birmingham, AL, top finalists will pitch their business concepts in person to a distinguished panel of judges.

Each finalist will have a designated time slot to present their business idea, articulate its value proposition, and respond to queries from the judges.

Winner Selection

Following all pitch presentations, the judges will deliberate thoughtfully to select the winners. Click here to view the juding criteria.

The judging criteria will encompass factors such as innovation, market potential, scalability, and the overall quality of the pitch.

OUR PANEL OF JUDGES

BAKARI MILLER

EDPA

JASON WATTERS

Alabama Power Co

KELVIN LAWRENCE

Alabama House of Representatives

Eboni Major

Major in Whiskey

MAYA MCKENZIE

Enterprise Software Assoc

RONALD SMITH

Precise Tax

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Participants will enjoy an abundance of amenities by attending this event. Some of the added perks participants will experience at the “HBCU Business Pitch Competition @ Magic City Classic” include:

  • Cash prizes
  • Great networking opportunities
  • Access to senior government, business and industry executives
  • Entrepreneurship mentoring and coaching
  • VIP event status for those who applied
Apply Now
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA