Alfred University AHA! Allegany County Startup Collegiate Competition

Two captured Alfred University news articles: a March 2026 pre-event piece describing the annual AHA! competition and its role in student entrepreneurship, and an April 2026 post-event article reporting Alfred team ReGrow as the winner.

• AHA! is an annual pitch competition involving Alfred University, Alfred State College, and Houghton University.
• 2025 winners included DeCayse (biodegradable phone cases, $5,000 top prize).
• 2026 winners included ReGrow (plastic-free packaging from mushroom roots and agricultural waste).
• The Institute for Experiential Entrepreneurship (IEE) Fellows program helps students develop entrepreneurial thinking.
• First-year business students in BUSI 106 write business plans, create pitches, and execute them.

The competition is regional and partnership-based, not an Alfred-owned internal program. The 2026 event was hosted by Houghton University with cash prizes confirmed.

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