Spelpreneur Jane E. Smith 10-Day Start-up Competition

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Build, Launch and Win! 

Spelpreneur presents... Jane E. Smith 10-Day Start-up Competition is open to currently enrolled Spelman students, including all classifications and majors.   

Before You Apply:

  • Review the FAQs: Carefully review the FAQ for the 2026 Spelpreneur 10-Day Startup Competition to understand all competition details. 
  • Consider on Your Schedule: The competition requires a time commitment over 13 days. If your schedule is too busy to fully participate over 13 days, it is probably best not to apply at this time.
  • Submit For-Profit Ideas Only: This competition exclusively accepts ideas with a for-profit business model.
  • Team Composition: Teams will be composed of a minimum of 2 Spelman students or a maximum of 4 Spelman students.  It is preferred (but not required) that each competing team include at least one current or past Spelpreneur cohort member or past Spelpreneur competition team member.

Key Dates:

  • Application Deadline: January 25, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST 
  • Notification Date of acceptance: January 30, 2026
  • Teams and Mentors Virtual Meetup: February 11, 2026
  • Competition Dates: February 16-26, 2026
  • Next steps: February 27, 2026

Apply Today: 2026 Spelpreneur Jane E. Smith 10-Day Start-up Competition

Pitch Night 2025

First Place WinnersSpelpreneur hosted its annual Pitch Night of the 10-day Startup Competition in February.

Eleven student teams gathered in the Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby, Ed.D., Auditorium to participate in an exciting Shark Tank-style pitch night where they presented bold business ideas, aimed at solving real-world problems. Teams competed for a chance to win $8,000 in stipends. 

The Winning Teams

  • The first-place winner, Akyn, was presented by Alexandria Howard, Aubrey Patton and Kennedy Sharperson.
  • Second-place winner, Unda, was presented by Makaila Parks, Zarah Vrooman, and Qari Headley. 
  • Third-place winner, Med Meets Mind, was presented by Kyra Wagner and Raven Downing.
  • The Viewer’s Choice Award Winner, Med Meets Mind, was presented by Kyra Wagner and Raven Downing.

Spelpreneur Presents: Jane E. Smith 10-Day Start-up Competition

 


Read More About the Pitch Competition  Visit the Spelpreneur Homepage 

Watch Spelpreneurs Pitch

Spelpreneur hosted its annual Pitch Night of the 10-day Startup Competition this past February. Eleven student teams participated in an exciting Shark Tank-style pitch night where they presented bold business ideas, aimed at solving real-world problems. Teams competed for a chance to win $8,000 in stipends.