Texas A&M University Announces New AI-Focused Undergraduate Business Plan Competition

Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School — in collaboration with the College of Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Architecture, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Texas A&M Innovation — is excited to announce a new undergraduate business plan competition focused on artificial intelligence (AI). The “Building a Better Future Through Business and AI” National Undergraduate Pitch Competition for AI-focused new ventures invites teams of undergraduate student founders from universities across the nation to submit business plans that leverage AI to address real-world challenges.

“This competition aligns with our focus on entrepreneurship and innovation at Texas A&M University,” said Nate Y. Sharp, dean of Mays Business School. “We believe that AI has the potential to reshape industries, economies, and societies, and that AI will be a critical component of new ventures that develop products and services that can change the world. By encouraging students to explore the possibilities of AI-driven business models, we are empowering the next generation of leaders to shape the future of business.”

Mays is proud to have support for the competition from Deloitte* and the Deloitte Foundation through individual contributions from Deloitte Texas A&M alumni matched by the Deloitte Foundation.

“As Generative AI evolves, collaboration between industry and academia will be increasingly more essential for realizing its full potential,” said Lou DiLorenzo, principal and US AI & Data Strategy practice leader, Deloitte Consulting LLP. “The Texas A&M undergraduate business plan competition presents a unique opportunity to harness new ideas and innovations from the students who will be tomorrow’s AI entrepreneurs and leaders.”

 

Competition Overview

The competition will highlight some of the best AI-related businesses from undergraduate student founders across the country. Teams will compete in three rounds:

• Round 1: Teams submit written business plans to Mays Business School by April 30, 2025
• Virtual Pitch Round: 24 teams will be selected from all submissions to present a 10-minute pitch virtually in June 2025
• Final Round of In-Person Pitches: The top 12 teams will advance to compete at Mays Business School at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, on Sept. 19-20, 2025

Winners will receive cash prizes, including $100,000 for 1st place, $50,000 for 2nd place, and $25,000 for 3rd place.

Eligibility

• Teams must consist of 2-4 undergraduate students currently enrolled at an accredited U.S. university
• Students from all undergraduate majors are eligible to participate
• Business plans must feature AI as a central component of their venture
• Teams must demonstrate ownership or full rights to any technology or intellectual property used in their business plan
• Ventures cannot have raised more than $250,000 in equity capital prior to Jan. 1, 2025
• The ventures cannot have generated more than $100,000 in gross revenue in any 12-month period prior to Jan. 1, 2025
• Ventures must have a minimum viable product (MVP)

Submission Information

Teams are required to submit a business plan that does not exceed 15 pages (including appendices and exhibits) and that includes the following:

• Executive Summary: Overview of the business plan
• AI Integration: Explanation of how AI is central to the venture
• Market Opportunity: Analysis of the target market and potential demand
• Revenue Model: Description of how the business will generate revenue
• Team Overview: Information about team members and their roles
• Financial Projections: Summary of expected financial outcomes

Evaluation

Submissions will be reviewed by industry leaders and Texas A&M faculty based on:

• Innovation: Original, creative, and effective use of AI technologies
• Market Potential: Scalable idea that demonstrates clear understanding of customer needs
• Feasibility: Viable business model with realistic financial projections
• Impact: Addresses significant societal challenges and contributes to building a better future through AI

Awards

The competition will award more than $200,000 in cash prizes:

• 1st Place: $100,000
• 2nd Place: $50,000
• 3rd Place: $25,000
• 4th Place: $15,000
• 5th Place: $10,000
• 6th-12th Place: $2,500 each

 

Additional benefits for winners include:

• Mentorship Opportunities: Winners can choose to be paired with an Aggie entrepreneur mentor for one year.
• Travel Assistance: Top 12 teams will receive funding to support travel to College Station for the final round of the competition.

 

How to Apply

For full details and to start a submission, visit createdatmays.tamu.edu/aicompetition. Submissions are due by April 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CDT.

Please direct any inquiries by email with the subject “Undergraduate AI Business Plan Competition” to Mays Business School’s Assistant Dean for Artificial Intelligence Arnold Castro at aicompetition@mays.tamu.edu.

 

*Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of its legal structure.