Top 10 Ideas Receive $25,000 in Non-Dilutive Funding and Access to Leading Venture Capitalists
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 11, 2026) –– America250, the national, nonpartisan organization charged by Congress with leading the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, today announced the launch of America’s Startup, a national competition designed to spotlight the next generation of American innovators and entrepreneurs.
America’s Startup is a fast-paced, high-stakes competition inviting college students across the country to pitch bold ideas and early-stage ventures for a shot at funding, mentorship and national recognition. Finalists will get face time with top figures in startups who will sit on the America’s Startup Investor Council, including Tim Draper of “Meet the Drapers.”
“Free markets and entrepreneurship lie at the heart of the American economy,” said Draper, founder and CEO of Draper Associates. “America’s Startup is like ‘Meet the Drapers’ for college students. I hear hundreds of ideas every day, and I look forward to learning about the bold and innovative business ideas of our American students as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary.”
Many influential companies and brands were founded by college students, with American college campuses long serving as incubators for new ideas, emerging technologies, and creative solutions that improve everyday life. America’s Startup builds on that tradition by giving today’s student entrepreneurs a platform to show the nation what’s next.
“Some of the most powerful companies in the world started with a student and an idea,” said Rosie Rios, Chair of America250. “America’s Startup is a chance for college founders to pressure-test their thinking, learn from people who’ve built real companies, and show what they can do when given a platform. As America approaches its 250th anniversary, this is exactly the moment to back the next generation of builders and give them an opportunity to help shape what comes next.”
Call for College Students to Enter a Breakout Idea by March 31, 2026
Students can submit a written proposal and a two-minute pitch video at America250.org during a quick, six-week application window February 15 – March 31, 2026. From there, the competition moves fast:
- Investor Council Reviews Top proposals
- Live pitch weekend in San Mateo, California at Draper University: Semifinalists will pitch May 1–3, 2026
- 10 Winners Awarded $25,000 in non-dilutive funding: plus access to mentorship, accelerator opportunities and potential equity investment.
Official rules will be available at https://america250.org/americas-startup/contest-rules/.
America’s Startup is part of America Innovates, a flagship program celebrating U.S. ingenuity and the ideas shaping our nation’s future.
America250 Chair Rios will today share the launch of America’s Startup on the global stage during the International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly at United Nations Headquarters.
“Every generation inherits America, but each generation also reshapes it,” said Rios, Chair of America250. “As we approach our 250th anniversary, we’re focused on engaging young people not as spectators of history, but as its authors. America’s Startup is about giving the next generation the tools, the confidence, and the platform to imagine what America can be — and then build it.”
For more information about and upcoming Semiquincentennial events, visit America250.org.
About America250
America250’s mission is to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking America’s Semiquincentennial. We aim to inspire our fellow Americans to reflect on our past, strengthen our love of country, and renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation. America250 will foster shared experiences that spark imagination, showcase the rich tapestry of our American stories, inspire service in our communities, honor the enduring strength, and celebrate the resilience of the United States of America.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Contest begins at 12:01 am ET on 2/15/26 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on 3/31/26. Open to U.S. students who are 13+ and enrolled at an accredited university, college or trade school located in the U.S. Semi-Finalists must travel to San Mateo, CA from May 1-3, 2026. See Official Rules for full details including how to enter, eligibility requirements, prize description/restrictions and judging procedure. Void where prohibited.