The Florida Atlantic Annual Business Pitch Competition (BPC) is more than a contest; it’s a celebration of creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial ambition. By bringing together students, veterans, community accelerator startups, and Spanish-language founders, the competition showcases diverse pathways to innovation while connecting founders with funding, mentorship, and real opportunities to scale.

2026 Tracks

• Student Track: slides 2-14
• Blue/Ocean Economy Track: slides 15-19
• The Runway Track: slides 20-25
• Veteran Track: slides 26-32 

Student Track - Sponsored by the Florida Atlantic Adams Center for Entrepreneurship. Open to current Florida Atlantic students and recent graduates (December 2025). At least one team member must be a current Florida Atlantic student or a recent graduate. Current students must be in good academic standing and enrolled in classes part‐time or full-time.

Blue/Ocean Economy Track  - Sponsored by Marine Research Hub, in collaboration with the School for Environmental Coastal & Ocean Sustainability (ECOS). Open to student founders and teams developing solutions, business ideas, technologies, or services connected to ocean, coastal, marine, or water-dependent industries.

Veteran Track - Sponsored by The Dr. Eric H. Shaw Endowment for the Veterans Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards. Open to Florida Atlantic Veterans, Florida Entrepreneurship Program alumni from Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 Cohorts.

The Runway Track - Sponsored by The Runway at Florida Atlantic University. Open to participants of the Venture Program. Participants must have completed, or received an approved waiver for, both the Entrepreneurship Boot Camp and the Market Validation Workshop.

Florida Atlantic Wave Competition - The Wave Competition is an applied research and entrepreneurial program open to all students, supporting innovative ideas that address real-world and community challenges through funding, mentorship, and experiential learning. Wave participants showcase their projects during a poster session at the Business Pitch Competition.

How You Can Support:

1. Spread the Word: Share information about the competition with your networks to help us reach a wider audience and support these budding entrepreneurs.
2. Become a Mentor or Judge: If you have expertise in entrepreneurship or business, consider volunteering as a mentor or judge to provide valuable feedback and guidance to the competing teams.
3. Become a sponsor**: Sponsorship Opportunities
   As a sponsor, you have the opportunity to make a difference. Your financial support will directly contribute to the success of aspiring entrepreneurs and help them turn their dreams into reality. With sponsorship comes visibility: Showcase your commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship by being prominently featured in our event materials and promotional efforts.

**Sponsorship Levels: We offer a range of sponsorship packages to suit your goals and budget. Whether you choose to be a Judge Sponsor, Track Sponsor, or contribute at a Customized Level, your generosity will be recognized and appreciated. 

Thank you for your support in empowering and inspiring our startup entrepreneur teams. Together, we can elevate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in our community.

CONTACT US
Florida Atlantic Entrepreneurship Institute
Adams Center for Entrepreneurship
adamscenter@fau.edu | innovatefau@fau.edu