The ACE Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans and all Americans through small business education, training, research, and community development, has officially opened applications for its inaugural Emerging Innovators Pitch Competition. The program is designed to transform students into civic-minded leaders capable of developing and pitching real solutions to the challenges facing their communities.

In partnership with affiliate Chambers of Commerce and Texas partners, the Foundation will award $2,000 scholarships to up to ten finalists — a total of up to $20,000 in funding — alongside a complimentary round-trip flight to Houston and exclusive one-on-one mentorship sessions with ACE Foundation board members.

Who Can Apply?

The competition is open exclusively to individual undergraduate students — team submissions are not accepted — currently enrolled at an accredited community, state, private, or public college located within the state of Texas. Applicants must also confirm enrollment at their institution for the 2026–2027 academic year and commit to attending the National ACE Annual Conference in Houston on September 18, 2026, should they be selected as finalists. Attendance is mandatory to receive the award.

The Pitch: Essay and Video

Students are required to upload a digital portfolio comprising six components: a 1,500-word written essay in PDF or DOCX format, a three-minute video pitch in MP4 or MOV format, an updated headshot, a current resume, an unofficial Spring 2026 transcript, and proof of registration for a free account with the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program — with the Foundation recommending applicants complete the course “Getting Your Pitch Right for Every Audience” before submitting.

The essay asks students to identify a real-world problem and propose an innovative, sustainable solution with clear community impact. Sample topics include AI-driven solutions for small business growth, modernising clean energy infrastructure, broadband equity, climate resilience strategies, and workforce development. The video pitch then distils those findings into a compelling three-minute presentation directed at the ACE Foundation board, supported by data-driven arguments and any visual aids the applicant chooses to include.

How Applications Are Scored

Submissions are evaluated together — essay and video as one package — out of a total of 100 points across eight criteria, with the greatest weight placed on impact, innovation, and feasibility.

About the ACE Foundation

The National ACE Foundation was established to improve the quality of life for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans and all Americans by assisting the small business community through education and training, research, and community development. Through partnerships with Chambers of Commerce and civic organisations across the country, the Foundation works to bridge gaps, build opportunity, and support entrepreneurs from underserved communities. The Emerging Innovators Pitch Competition is one of its most ambitious student-facing programmes to date, seeking to channel the energy and ideas of the next generation toward meaningful, lasting change.