SAN BERNARDINO, CA — The BBOP Center is proud to announce its 5th Annual Innovation Pitch Competition, a flagship event designed to support entrepreneurs, innovators, small business owners, and community-driven ventures ready to grow their ideas and expand their impact. The competition will be held on Friday, June 19, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the BBOP Center, located at 599 N. Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92401.
Since its inception, the BBOP Center has served more than 250 entrepreneurs and helped facilitate over $460,000 in capital access, building a growing ecosystem focused on economic empowerment and business development. This year’s pitch competition continues that mission — not simply as a contest, but as a launchpad for opportunity.
The BBOP Center Innovation Pitch Competition gives selected entrepreneurs the chance to present their business ideas before a panel of judges, gain meaningful exposure, connect with community leaders, and compete for prizes, mentorship, resources, and potential capital support.
The competition features two divisions. The Youth Division, open to participants ages 10 through 19, is designed for students with ideas or early-stage businesses — future entrepreneurs who are ready to learn, compete, and receive mentorship. The Adult Division is geared toward entrepreneurs with validated ideas or operating businesses — founders preparing for growth, capital access, or expansion. Both divisions will compete across Ideation and Startup categories, with only ten participants selected per division.
Winners will have the opportunity to receive cash prizes, AI-powered business support tools, hands-on coaching and mentorship, a live pitch experience in front of a real audience, and increased visibility within the broader BBOP ecosystem.
The competition is open to entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses, innovators, and community-based ventures seeking growth, visibility, funding opportunities, and strategic connections. Applicants must be available to present in person on June 19, 2026. Youth participants will require parent or guardian consent, and one submission is permitted per individual or team.
Applications opened April 25, 2026, with a deadline of May 23, 2026. Pitch preparation workshops are forthcoming, with the Final Pitch Competition taking place June 19, 2026, at the BBOP Center in San Bernardino.
To apply, visit: info.bbopcenter.com.
The BBOP Center is actively seeking experienced professionals, entrepreneurs, funders, and community leaders to serve as judges for this year’s event. Ideal candidates bring expertise in business and entrepreneurship, finance and investment, marketing and branding, technology and innovation, or workforce and economic development. Interested judges may reach out to clacy@bbopcenter.com with the subject line “Pitch Competition Judge Interest.”
Sponsorship and partnership opportunities are also available for organizations wishing to align their brand with innovation, economic mobility, and community impact. Sponsors receive brand visibility across all marketing channels, direct access to emerging entrepreneurs, on-site and digital recognition, and pipeline access to high-potential talent and ventures. Sponsorship inquiries may be directed to clacy@bbopcenter.com with the subject line “Sponsorship Opportunity – BBOP Pitch Competition.”
The BBOP Center is a community-centered organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and building economic opportunity through education, resources, and access to capital. Through initiatives like the annual pitch competition, BBOP continues to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem across San Bernardino and beyond.
Empowering Innovation. Building Community. Creating Opportunity.
