Call for Submissions

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force, reshaping industries, economies, and societies at an unprecedented pace. The exponential growth of AI technologies offers new opportunities and challenges for businesses worldwide, enabling enhanced decision-making, efficiency, and innovation. We believe AI will be a critical piece of new ventures that will develop products and services that change the world. At Mays, we are committed to supporting AI’s capabilities to produce new products and services that build a better future.

To that end, 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 — invites teams of undergraduate student founders nationwide to submit business plans that leverage AI to address real-world challenges. Eligible teams must consist of at least two currently enrolled undergraduate student founders from any major at any university and no more than four team members.

From the business plans submitted to the competition, judges will identify the top 24 teams. Those teams will be invited to present a 10-minute pitch to a panel of three judges through a virtual format. From those 24 teams, the judges will identify the top 12 teams nationwide and they will be invited to come to College Station for a final in-person pitch.

Submissions are due April 30, 2025.

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.

Competition Overview

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

• Written Business Plan Round: 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 significant cash prizes, including $100,000 for first place, $50,000 for second place, and $25,000 for third 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 experts and Texas A&M faculty experts 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.

Submission Deadline: April 30, 2025, by 11:59 PM CDT.

Please direct any inquiries by email with the subject “Undergraduate AI and Entrepreneurship Business Plan Competition” to 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.