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BBOP Business Academy staff presenting a ten-thousand-dollar pitch award to a cohort winner

Start & Grow a Business · The stage

Pitch Competitions

Build. Pitch. Scale. The BBOP Innovation Pitch Competition 2026 puts ten founders per division in front of community leaders and partners for cash prizes, coaching, and a live pitch. Youth and adult divisions, in person at the Center.

Apply for the next cycle Sponsor the competition

A Business Academy pitch award, presented at the Center

Two divisions

Who competes

Youth Division Ages 10 to 19

  • Students with ideas or early-stage businesses
  • Future entrepreneurs ready to learn and compete
  • Individuals seeking mentorship and exposure

Adult Division Adults

  • Entrepreneurs with validated ideas or operating businesses
  • Founders preparing for growth, capital, or expansion
  • Business owners ready to pitch and scale

Ten participants selected per division. The BBOP Center, 599 N Arrowhead Ave, San Bernardino. In person only.

What a competitor gains

More than the check

  • Cash prizes to support the business
  • Coaching and mentorship
  • A live pitch in front of a real audience
  • Visibility within the BBOP ecosystem

The 2026 cycle

  1. April 25, 2026Applications open
  2. May 23, 2026Application deadline
  3. June 1, 2026Participants notified
  4. June 19, 2026Live pitch competition

This cycle's live pitch was held June 19, 2026. The next cycle's dates are published here when the Center sets them.

The rules

Six rules, one policy

  1. Submit the application by the deadline
  2. Selected participants present in person
  3. Be available on the live pitch date
  4. Travel and accommodations are not provided
  5. Youth participants need parent or guardian consent
  6. One submission per individual or team

Apply for the next cycle

The Center notifies selected participants by email. One submission per individual or team.

Include an email address or phone number so the Center's front desk can follow up.

Already held

The stage so far

May 28, 2025 · Entrepreneur High School, Highland

BBOP x Entrepreneur High School Innovation Pitch Competition

Seven student teams pitched businesses of their own, from trauma-informed childcare to tech-enabled safety training. Oya Femtech Apparel took first place, $5,000 and a GROW membership; PADI, eco-friendly menstrual pads made from banana agrowaste, took second. Every team received $250 in seed funding and the chance to incubate at the Center.

Read the story

A BBOP Business Academy pitch winner holding a ten-thousand-dollar award check

The Beyond Ideation finale · The BBOP Center

BIG IDEAS Pitch Competition

From five finalists, two winners secured non-dilutive capital for the next stage of their businesses, with founders traveling from as far as Oklahoma and New York to pitch.

Read the story