About this programme
Aggie PITCH is the only university-wide business pitch competition at Texas A&M, launched in 2018 and run by the McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship. It gives current students a platform to present startups and connect with investors, mentors and partners in the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The competition is currently paused. The program page states: 'At this time, Aggie PITCH is paused. Information about future occurrences will be posted here when available.' The details below describe how the competition ran in its most recent (Fall 2025) cycle.
How it works
The competition has two divisions. Full Pitch is a 4-minute presentation to judges and an audience, followed by 4 minutes of Q&A, with visuals, samples and prototypes allowed. Elevator Pitch is a 1-minute audience presentation, limited to samples or prototypes with no visuals.
In the Fall 2025 cycle, Full Pitch prizes were $6,000 for 1st place, $4,000 for 2nd, $2,000 for a tied 3rd place, and a $500 People's Choice Award. Elevator Pitch prizes were $1,000 for 1st, $750 for 2nd, $500 for 3rd, and $250 for 4th.
Judges score startups on eight dimensions: problem significance, customer willingness to pay, market size and scalability, solution feasibility with evidence, competitive differentiation, intellectual property and defensibility, team coachability, and understanding of development milestones, considered on a relational scale for the startup's stage of development.
Who can apply
At least one team member must be a current student at any Texas A&M University campus or Texas A&M System institution, in any degree or professional program. Effective 2025, only current student-led ventures qualify; former students are excluded.
The startup must have raised less than $1 million in external funding and generated less than $250,000 in total revenue. Company formation is not required, and concept-stage startups are encouraged to apply. All industries are welcome.
Past Full Pitch winners cannot reapply the following year. Past Elevator Pitch winners may reapply. Individuals who won a prize may apply again the next year with a different startup.
How to apply
- Complete the online application form, covering your business summary, problem, solution, business model, target market, customers and competitors.
- Submit a 60-second elevator pitch video (creativity is encouraged, and not all team members need to appear).
- Applications are screened by experienced entrepreneurs and business professionals against published evaluation criteria; selected applicants advance to the finalist round.
- Finalists must attend a mandatory one-hour pitch coaching session and attend the competition in person in College Station. The McFerrin Center does not provide travel or lodging funding.
Documents you’ll typically need
- Online application form (business summary, problem, solution, business model, target market, customers, competitors)
- 60-second elevator pitch video
Frequently asked
Is Aggie PITCH currently accepting applications?
No. The competition is currently paused, and the McFerrin Center says it will post information here when a future round is announced.
Who can enter?
Teams where at least one member is a current student at any Texas A&M University System institution, whose startup has raised under $1 million and generated under $250,000 in revenue.
What are the two divisions?
Full Pitch (a 4-minute pitch plus 4 minutes of Q&A, with visuals and prototypes allowed) and Elevator Pitch (a 1-minute pitch, samples or prototypes only, no visuals).
How much prize money is available?
In the Fall 2025 cycle, Full Pitch paid up to $6,000 for 1st place plus a $500 People's Choice Award, and Elevator Pitch paid up to $1,000 for 1st place.
Will the McFerrin Center cover my travel to the competition?
No. Finalists must attend in person in College Station, but the McFerrin Center does not provide travel or lodging funding.
Will my idea be kept confidential?
No confidentiality agreement is provided. Applicants are fully responsible for protecting their own proprietary information throughout the application and competition.
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Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.