Next Top Entrepreneur Competition

About the Competition

Current students from any college or university with a solid business idea, concept, product and/or existing business are invited to pitch in front of a panel of seasoned entrepreneurs for a chance to win top prize of $10,000.

Teams are evaluated on their business model, the validity of their idea, and their ability to execute. Our judges are looking for the business with greatest potential for success.

Teams traveling out of state for the competition are eligible for travel reimbursement of up to $1,500 (not per student).

Eligibility & Rules

• Undergraduate and Graduate-level students only. Doctoral students are not eligible.
• If a member of the team has graduated, they must have graduated within the past three semesters.
• Businesses must have less than $2 million in cumulative life-time sales plus cumulative lifetime third party funding, grants or awards.
• There is no limit on the type of business eligible.
• Only four members of the team may participate in the competition (no exceptions).

How to Apply

In your application, please include:

• Business abstract: include in your abstract who is the target market and who is the addressable market
• Two-minute pitch video
• Statement of revenue for the last 12 months
• Additional photos, videos, and/or website links to help your business stand out

Only completed applications are accepted.

The applicant pool is judged by an internal committee. The top ten teams advance to the final round in Athens, Georgia.

The pitch competition takes place in front of a live audience with a panel of judges who have experience in the startup and business world. These judges pick the winning team that walk away with top prize of $10,000, 2nd place prize of $5,000, and 3rd place prize of $2,500.