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The Governor’s Cup is a real-world entrepreneur education opportunity for college and university students hosted by the ACC Capital Foundation, the 501c3 affiliate of ACC Capital. The competition includes a 10-page written business plan, a virtual 15-minute oral pitch presentation, an in-person 15-minute oral pitch presentation and a 90-second elevator pitch event.
Competitors will gain a greater appreciation of the challenges and opportunities of starting a viable business, and have access to networks of entrepreneurs, economic developers, investors, and others as they move through the Governor’s Cup process.
The Governor’s Cup continues to offer one of the largest all-cash prize pools of any collegiate business competition in the country, with an all-cash prize pool of $141,000.
Competitors will gain a greater appreciation of the challenges and opportunities of starting a viable business, and have access to networks of entrepreneurs, economic developers, investors, and others as they move through the Governor’s Cup process.
The Governor’s Cup continues to offer one of the largest all-cash prize pools of any collegiate business competition in the country, with an all-cash prize pool of $141,000.
DIVISIONS
HIGH GROWTH/TECHNOLOGY: This division is for business plans with truly unique ideas and technologies that demonstrate a potentially disruptive market impact with strong viability and high potential for growth.
SMALL BUSINESS/MAIN STREET: This division is for business plans that are more “Main Street” customer-facing operations.
SMALL BUSINESS/MAIN STREET: This division is for business plans that are more “Main Street” customer-facing operations.
DIVISON TRACKS
The High Growth/Technology Division will have two tracks:
○ Undergraduate students (Arkansas students only)
○ Graduate students (Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, Louisiana students only)
The Small Business/Main Street Division will have one division that combines undergraduate and graduate students.
○ Undergraduate student eligibility (Arkansas students only)
○ Graduate student eligibility (Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, Louisiana students only)
○ Undergraduate students (Arkansas students only)
○ Graduate students (Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, Louisiana students only)
The Small Business/Main Street Division will have one division that combines undergraduate and graduate students.
○ Undergraduate student eligibility (Arkansas students only)
○ Graduate student eligibility (Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, Louisiana students only)
Prize Pool
High Growth/Technology Division – Graduate Track:
First Place $20,000
Second Place $10,000
Third Place $7,500
High Growth/Technology Division – Undergraduate Track:
First Place $20,000
Second Place $10,000
Third Place $7,500
Small Business/Main Street Division:
First Place $10,000
Second Place $7,500
Third Place $5,000
Elevator Pitch:
High Growth/Technology - Graduate $1,000
High Growth/Technology - Undergraduate $1,000
Small Business/Main Street - $1,000
Advisor Awards:
$1,500 to winning team advisors
Finalist Awards:
$1,500 to all finalist teams
First Place $20,000
Second Place $10,000
Third Place $7,500
High Growth/Technology Division – Undergraduate Track:
First Place $20,000
Second Place $10,000
Third Place $7,500
Small Business/Main Street Division:
First Place $10,000
Second Place $7,500
Third Place $5,000
Elevator Pitch:
High Growth/Technology - Graduate $1,000
High Growth/Technology - Undergraduate $1,000
Small Business/Main Street - $1,000
Advisor Awards:
$1,500 to winning team advisors
Finalist Awards:
$1,500 to all finalist teams
2026 Governor's Cup Title Sponsor
Dhu C. Thomspon
GUIDELINES
Review 2026 Competition Guidelines on our website: ARGOVERNORSCUP.ORG