Previous Pitch Competitions
Growth Accelerator Competition
Do you have a groundbreaking business idea? Have you developed a concept that would revolutionize aviation, aerospace or engineering? Do you have what it takes to be the next Student-to-CEO? Bring your business idea to life with Launch Your Venture and win up to $10,000 in prizes!
We’re looking for university student-led startups with revolutionary ideas that will change the future of the aviation, aerospace and engineering industries. Successful projects will feature scalable transformative technologies led by strong management teams capable of launching disruptive innovation.
Eligible teams will have at least one full-time student, undergraduate or graduate, at an accredited university in Florida, enrolled during the academic year of the competition. The student must have a major role in the venture (founder, equity holder, C-level management) and will deliver the final pitch if selected as a finalist.
Six finalists will present their pitches online to a judging panel representing investors, industry and the military. Each competitor will receive seven minutes to pitch and a five-minute Q&A with the judges. Winners will be announced at the end of the event.
Application deadline: Monday, March 4, 2024.
Launch Your Venture
Do you have a groundbreaking business idea? Have you developed a concept that would revolutionize aviation, aerospace or engineering? Do you have what it takes to be the next Student-to-CEO? Bring your business idea to life with Launch Your Venture and win up to $10,000 in prizes!
We’re looking for university student-led startups with revolutionary ideas that will change the future of the aviation, aerospace and engineering industries. Successful projects will feature scalable transformative technologies led by strong management teams capable of launching disruptive innovation.
Eligible teams will have at least one full-time student, undergraduate or graduate, at an accredited university in Florida, enrolled during the academic year of the competition. The student must have a major role in the venture (founder, equity holder, C-level management) and will deliver the final pitch if selected as a finalist.
Six finalists will present their pitches online to a judging panel representing investors, industry and the military. Each competitor will receive seven minutes to pitch and a five-minute Q&A with the judges. Winners will be announced at the end of the event.
Application deadline: Monday, March 4, 2024.
Closing the Gap: Addressing the Unmet Need of Cancer in Rural Communities
Tampa General Hospital (TGH) and TGH Cancer Institute are seeking innovative solutions to address the significant unmet need of cancer care in rural communities with the goal of reducing cancer mortality for Americans living in these communities. The Challenge aims to foster partnerships and support projects that can make a significant impact on this goal, whether through care navigation, improved treatments, early detection, novel care delivery or otherwise.
The prize for this challenge will be up to $50,000 in value to support a potential partnership or pilot project with the winning solution in collaboration with TGH Innoventures and the TGH Cancer Institute. This support may include IT resources, project management, subject matter expert guidance to inform the development and enhancement of the solution, implementation costs, and strategic facilitation provided by TGH Innoventures.
Application deadline: Saturday, January 20th, 2024.
Business Venture Plan Competition
The annual Venture Plan Competition, hosted by the Crummer Graduate School of Business every year since 2015, is Central Florida’s largest, most prestigious, and comprehensive business plan and pitch competition for startups. Open to all regionally headquartered startups, the annual competition is where teams battle for funding, exposure, and mentorship in front of the region’s top entrepreneurs, leaders, and venture capitalists.
Participants compete for prize money before multiple distinguished judges panels, all of whom are successful investors and entrepreneurs. The competition continues to serve as the platform for Central Florida startup companies to gain exposure and funding.
Application deadline: Monday, February 4, 2024
Closing the Gap: Addressing the Unmet Need of Cancer in Rural Communities
Tampa General Hospital (TGH) and TGH Cancer Institute are seeking innovative solutions to address the significant unmet need of cancer care in rural communities with the goal of reducing cancer mortality for Americans living in these communities. The Challenge aims to foster partnerships and support projects that can make a significant impact on this goal, whether through care navigation, improved treatments, early detection, novel care delivery or otherwise.
The prize for this challenge will be up to $50,000 in value to support a potential partnership or pilot project with the winning solution in collaboration with TGH Innoventures and the TGH Cancer Institute. This support may include IT resources, project management, subject matter expert guidance to inform the development and enhancement of the solution, implementation costs, and strategic facilitation provided by TGH Innoventures.
Application deadline: Saturday, January 20th, 2024.
Reverse The Red™ Pitch Competition brought to you by Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF) 2023 details
The RTR pitch competition aims to offer grant capital to BIPOC startups for their growth and expansion. The competition entails specialized mentorship from BBIF’s business consultants to prepare finalists for the final pitch. Through BBIF’s Mentorship, finalists will receive crucial guidance to enhance their brand storytelling, pitch decks, data presentation, and capital-raising fundamentals. After completing the educational sessions, the finalists will confidently deliver their final pitch. All finalists will receive ongoing mentorship from BBIF’s business development consulting team and have access to other BBIF services.
Who Can Apply?
- Florida-based, early-stage companies
- 51% Black-owned
- Are actively selling product or service (or ready to launch, and capital is all that is required)
- Annual revenue less than $100,000
- Business is less than 5 years old
- Finalists must be able to join in person winner announcement in Orlando, Florida in July. Official date TBD.
2023 Application deadline: Sunday, April 21, 2023.