It’s the time of year that all Patriot entrepreneurs eagerly anticipate. The Patriot Pitch Competition returns to George Mason’s Fairfax Campus on Thursday, April 10, with the opportunity for all current George Mason students and recent alumni, who have innovative business ideas or early-stage business ventures, to successfully launch their own businesses.
Presented by 22nd Century Technologies and organized by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a center of excellence within the Costello College of Business, the flagship event is raising the stakes by awarding $50,000 in total prizes across four tracks, up from $40,000 last year.
The winning teams from last year’s competition were: UR2CLOSE in the Public Engagement track, FlightCommand Pro in the STEM track, Project Hope in the Social Impact track, and ElderlyEats in the General Entrepreneurship track. Read more about last year's winners.
The four tracks have changed slightly in 2025, now consisting of STEM (open to undergraduate students), Social Impact (open to undergraduate students), General Entrepreneurship (open to undergraduate students), and General Entrepreneurship (open to graduate students and recent alumni). Winning prize money goes a long way in getting an entrepreneur's venture off the ground, but so does being mentored, coached, and judged by supportive stakeholders from the business community. Semifinalist teams participate in four to six 45-minute mentoring/feedback sessions and entrepreneurship training sessions leading up to the semifinal virtual round. Semifinal round judges select two teams from each track for the final event. Selected teams then implement feedback from the semifinal round before pitching in front of a live audience and new panel of judges.
Students from any major or field of study and recent alumni are encouraged to apply and must submit a full application by next Friday, February 21, at 11:59 p.m. to be eligible. “Last year, over 62% of our semifinalist teams were led by students and alumni representing five colleges and schools outside of the Costello College of Business. This opportunity is truly designed for all Patriots with an entrepreneurial spirit,” says Rebecca Howick, director of operations and engagement at the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
The Patriot Pitch Competition would not be possible without collaboration among the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Individuals interested in volunteering as application reviewers, team mentors, or semifinal round judges should email ciemason@gmu.edu. The Patriot Pitch Competition is an extraordinary experiential learning opportunity and exciting event for George Mason and the business community. Anyone who would like to join the audience is encouraged to attend on Thursday, April 10, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Johnson Center Bistro on the Fairfax Campus.