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Pitch CompetitionDirect fundingNo equityVerified

AHA! Allegany County Startup Collegiate Competition

Also known as: AHA! Competition

Alfred University · Alfred, NY

An annual regional startup pitch competition involving students from Alfred University, Alfred State College, and Houghton University. Students pitch startup ideas to judges for cash prizes. The competition cycles hosting among participating institutions.

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Quick fit check

  • Offers direct funding
  • No equity required
  • Currently active
  • Verified by research

Key numbers

Funding range

$5,000 – $5,000

Grant

Equity

None

Application

Annual

Regional

Last activity

2026-04-11

High confidence

Application and Timing

Annual cycle with events typically in spring. The 2026 event was scheduled for April 11 and hosted by Houghton University. No standalone Alfred application page exists — participation flows through Alfred faculty organizers.

Participants

Students from Alfred University, Alfred State College, and Houghton University. Alfred participants include students across disciplines, with first-year business students (BUSI 106) also writing business plans and pitches.

Funding and Equity

The 2025 winning team received $5,000 top prize. 2026 coverage confirms cash prizes remain part of the competition. All prizes are non-dilutive. No equity is taken.

Recent Activity

Alfred published March 2026 pre-event coverage and April 2026 post-event coverage confirming continued annual activity. Alfred teams won in both 2025 (DeCayse) and 2026 (ReGrow).

Known Startups or Winners

  • 2025 winner: DeCayse (biodegradable phone cases).
  • 2026 winner: ReGrow (plastic-free packaging from mushroom roots and agricultural waste).

Verification Gaps

  • Whether winners receive follow-on support (incubator access, mentoring, investor introductions).
  • Complete winner list by year across all participating institutions.
  • Whether the competition has expanded beyond the three current participating schools.

AHA! Allegany County Startup Collegiate Competition

Additional research notesShow