El Camino College to Offer Student Entrepreneurial Competition
El Camino College invites student entrepreneurs to develop and present their original business plan this fall. All students enrolled in the fall 2026 semester are eligible to participate in “Launch & Grow Your Business,” a virtual business plan pitch competition that gives student entrepreneurs the chance to win seed funding to launch their venture.
This hands-on competition is coordinated by the college’s Entrepreneurial Studies program in partnership with the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) Everyday Entrepreneur Program + Fund, which provides education, funding, and mentoring support to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Through this competition, students are asked to create a five-to-eight-minute video pitch. They can access instruction and mentorship as they develop their business model, refine their pitching skills, and gain invaluable mentoring. Judges representing El Camino’s faculty and the local business community will score and provide feedback on each pitch.
“The world of entrepreneurship can be tough to navigate,” said Katie Sundara, acting dean of the Division of Business, Design and Applied Technology. “El Camino’s Entrepreneurial Studies program is designed to spark innovation and strengthen our local economy. When students learn how to identify opportunities, solve problems, and launch new ventures, they become catalysts for economic growth in the South Bay. This pitch competition also reflects the innovation, dedication, and industry collaboration our faculty bring to the classroom, creating meaningful, real-world experiences that prepare students to turn their ideas into opportunities and showcase what they are capable of achieving.”
El Camino College’s Entrepreneurial Studies program prepares both business owners and startup entrepreneurs for success. Classes cover important aspects of business ownership, including product concept, unique value proposition, market analysis, competitor research, and legal business forms. Degree and certificate programs, networking opportunities, and guest speaker lectures are part of the program.
Students interested in learning more about starting their own business and participating in this competition should consider enrolling in one of these courses:
- BUS 128 – Think Like an Entrepreneur
- BUS 113 – Social Media Marketing
- BUS 124 - Entrepreneurship Startup Planning and Funding
- BUS 126 - Accounting for Small Business
To receive more information about the Launch & Grow Your Business competition, submit your request online or contact [email protected].
For more information about El Camino’s Entrepreneurial Studies program and any of the college’s other life-changing academic programs, counseling, and resources, view www.elcamino.edu or call toll free 1-866-ELCAMINO. Financial aid is available to qualifying students – go to www.studentaid.gov/ to apply.