FAU Business Pitch Competition

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN - DEADLINE: FRIDAY, FEB 6, 2026

SUBMIT APPLICATION: 2026 Florida Atlantic Business Pitch Competition Application
There is no entry fee. Late applications will not be accepted.
Click HERE for full Rules & Eligibility.

The annual Florida Atlantic Business Pitch Competition is hosted by the College of Business and the Adams Center for Entrepreneurship with support from local partners and sponsors. The competition is open to Florida Atlantic students and community members and features multiple tracks, including a Veteran Track, The Runway Accelerator Track, and a Spanish-Language Track. Participants pitch their game-changing ideas for a chance to secure seed funding for their new ventures, with finalists competing for cash prizes and preferred access into the Florida Atlantic The Runway Venture Program. Throughout the competition, founders have the opportunity to present to local angel and venture capital groups, connect with successful entrepreneurs, and access resources that support the creation and growth of their businesses.


2026 Tracks

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 member of the team must be a current Florida Atlantic student or recent graduate. Current students must be in good academic standing and enrolled in classes, part‐time ok.

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.

The Runway Track - Sponsored by The Runway at Florida Atlantic University. Open to participants of The Runway at Florida Atlantic Venture Program.

Track en Español - Sponsored by Hispanic Unity of Florida. Para los graduados del programa intensivo de Hispanic Unity of Florida en otoño de 2025. For graduates of the Spanish-language Entrepreneur "Level-Up" Boot Camp facilitated by Hispanic Unity of Florida in Fall 2025.


2025 Student Track Winners:

Title Student Founder Name(s) Venture Name
Winner - $2,500 Daniel Guido FireCodes AI | firecodes.ai
Runners Up - $1,000 Cesar Oneid Chum Bomb LLC
Donata Amineva BioSeq AI
Innovators - $500 Priscilla Xu OrthoGenetic
Melina Micallef Yarn Over
Daniella Cracknell The Spa Dress® | thespadress.com
Ayan Sanaullah SynthData

Click Here to Meet the STUDENT VENTURES


2025 Veteran Track Winners:

Title Veteran Founder Name Venture Name
Winner - $1,500 Andrew "Devon" Stephenson Zera TechBridge | zeratechbridge.com
Runner Up - $1,000 Drew Williams WALL-R, LLC | wall-r.com
Innovators - $300 Scott Tolbert CatJets | catjets.com
Kelsey De Santis OFP K9
Robert Wheeler BattleFitted | battlefittedbrand.com

Click Here to Meet the VETERAN VENTURES

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2024 Business Pitch Competition Winners!

The Florida Atlantic Annual Business Pitch Competition features four distinct tracks, each highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit of different groups within our community:

 

Meet the Student Track Winners:

Students: Emerging student entrepreneurs will present their innovative business ideas and compete for valuable prizes and recognition. Participants are Florida Atlantic undergraduate and graduate students.

Title Name Company Name
Winner Noor Habona & Abigail Sinu Nanosense
Runners Up Charles Russo Aldental
Julia Mosher Happy Hearts
Vivian Yu, Yuji Kitamura, & Giuliana Comini JOYN
Yashwin Adusumilli MarineGuard
Innovators Joey Watson Port-A-Bana
Tarruck Wheeler & Ellie Pfahler N.E.T.
Brianna Carnaval & London Powell Purity
Hannah Whitcomb QuickBLD
Alberto Hernandez Stone Pine Productions

 

Meet the Veterans Winners:

Veterans: We honor the dedication and leadership of our veterans by providing a platform for them to showcase their entrepreneurial ventures. Participants are from the 2023-2024 Florida Atlantic Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program.

Title Name Company Name
Winner Angelo Martinez, Natalia Earle, & Duke The Barracks Legend Foundation
Runner Up Robert Vasvary "Tennessee Bob" Tennessee Bob's Hot Sauce
Innovators John Wilkinson Smart-Tech Farms
Ben Ergina Canon Events
Michael Trelles Christ Empowered Fitness
Richard Raines Pix Now

 

Meet the Spanish-Language Winners:

Spanish-Language: This track celebrates the diversity of our community by providing Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs with the opportunity to present their business concepts. Participants are from the Spring 2024 Spanish-language Entrepreneur Boot Camp.

Title Name Company Name
Ganadora Monica Zuluaga y Nancy Moreno Pa' Picar & Llevar
Subcampeona Rosario Montilla MamaMía Maternity
Innovadora Janessa German Case de Fleur

 

Meet the Youth Track Winners:

Youth: Fostering the creativity and ambition of young minds, this track is dedicated to youth entrepreneurs who are making their mark in the business world. Participants are from grades 6-8 from A.D. Henderson.

Title Name Company Name
Winner Aryana Sahai Ladlis
Innovators Jennifer Placide Smart Garden
Ella Grimaldi Scentillow
Nathan Fils-Aime Fryify

 

How You Can Support:


  • Spread the Word: Share information about the competition with your networks to help us reach a wider audience and support these budding entrepreneurs.
  • 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. Email adamscenter@fau.edu or call +1 561-297-3653.
  • Become a sponsor. 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.
    • Gain Visibility: Showcase your commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship by being prominently featured in our event materials and promotional efforts.
    • Network and Connect: Engage with a diverse audience of entrepreneurs, community leaders, and stakeholders who share your passion for supporting local initiatives.

Sponsorship Levels: We offer a range of sponsorship packages to suit your organization's goals and budget. Whether you choose to be a Presenting Sponsor, Track Sponsor, or contribute at a Customized Level, your generosity will be recognized and appreciated. Please call +1 561-297-3653 or email adamscenter@fau.edu for more information.

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
Adams Center for Entrepreneurship
adamscenter@fau.edu
p: 561-297-3653

 

 

 

 
 
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