Alabama HBCU founders win $20,000 at 2026 pitch event

By Grace Kim

The Alabama Collective and Digitalundivided awarded $20,000 in cash prizes to HBCU student and alumni founders on Thursday, October 29, at the 2026 HBCU Business Pitch Competition at Topgolf Birmingham, during Magic City Classic week.

Digitalundivided co-hosted the event with The Alabama Collective. Fifty-one founders representing 10 Alabama institutions competed in a booth-style format. Each delivered a three-minute pitch without slides or audiovisual aids, then faced three minutes of questions from a panel of industry judges.

Top scorers at each booth received $1,000 and advanced to a live Pitch Finale. Three placements in that finale carried $4,000, $3,000 and $2,000. The two-stage format rewarded booth performance before the finale decided the largest prizes.

Who won the three Pitch Finale prizes?

Internably, LLC, founded by Bryson Hannah of Alabama A&M University, took first place and $4,000, the largest award. Its networking platform connects college students, interns and early-career professionals by company, school, city and career interests.

FuelTrip, also from Alabama A&M University, took second place and $3,000. NexU, another Alabama A&M University entrant, finished third and won $2,000. Both had also earned one of the $1,000 booth awards.

Ten ventures won $1,000 as their booth’s top scorer:

• VARA — Talladega College
• Yardly — Alabama State University
• AccessBelt — Alabama State University
• Nightshift — Talladega College
• FuelTrip — Alabama A&M University
• NexU — Alabama A&M University
• Internably, LLC — Alabama A&M University
• Mobile Therapy Office/Unlimited Potential — Alabama State University
• BeVerified — Alabama State University
• The Vent Avengers — Trenholm State Community College

Alabama A&M University took all three finale prizes, while Alabama State University placed four of the 10 booth winners.

How did START widen the field?

The 2026 competition introduced two entry tracks. Members of The Alabama Collective community could apply to START, Digitalundivided’s flagship pre-revenue incubator. START is a three-week virtual program grounded in Lean Startup methodology.

Selected participants built a working Business Model Canvas, earned an automatic slot in the Round 1 pitch booths and received a $250 completion stipend on event day.

Alabama HBCU students, recent graduates, faculty and staff filled the remaining booths and brought in founders new to the organization. The event day also included entrepreneurship training, small-group mentoring with industry leaders and a Lunch and Learn fireside chat.

JPMorgan Chase, HBCU CARES and NEBIUS supported the 2026 competition. START participants received three weeks of preparation, an automatic booth slot and a $250 completion payment.

What do the partners expect from the event?

Modupe Rouse, Digitalundivided Chair and Pitch Finale Judge, said:

“I was blown away by these innovative business ideas and the go-to-market strategies,”

“These student founders took the START program skills and leveled up. I cannot wait for the economic impact of their businesses in Alabama.”

Charisse Stokes, Executive Director of The Alabama Collective, said:

“What we witnessed at this year’s competition was a powerful reminder of the incredible talent, creativity, and entrepreneurial potential emerging from Alabama’s HBCUs,

These 51 founders didn’t just show up with ideas — they showed up with vision, determination, and the confidence to turn those ideas into businesses.

We’re especially proud that this year’s partnership with Digitalundivided allowed us to expand beyond the competition itself, equipping entrepreneurs with business skills to launch their businesses, coaching, and connections that will serve them long after the prizes are awarded.

Our goal is not simply to celebrate great pitches, but to help build the next generation of successful entrepreneurs and business owners across Alabama.”

Digitalundivided CEO Leah D. Williams said:

“Digitalundivided is delighted to partner with TAC in its work with Alabama HBCUs and in supporting the innovation and talent of students here,”

“These student founders are the business leaders of tomorrow. We are excited to add the Digitalundivided network lifting them up as they climb towards their future achievements.”

The Alabama Collective is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to elevating tech talent and entrepreneurs across Alabama. It partners with HBCUs, industry leaders and innovation hubs on programs that expose, educate, engage and empower underrepresented communities in tech, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Digitalundivided has worked for more than a decade increasing founder visibility and access. Its activities began with research and expanded into founder-centric training programs, strategic partnerships and a founder community designed to support an equitable entrepreneurial environment and give founders at every stage room to improvise and innovate.

The next test is whether the cash awards, three-week START pathway and post-pitch connections can turn this year’s 51 ideas into operating Alabama businesses.