43rd Annual CEO Global Conference
The place where student innovators learn, compete, and build what's next.
Where student founders compete, connect, and build.
For 43 years, CEO Global has brought together the students who are actually doing it. Three days. 600+ attendees. One stage.
Registration opens Wednesday, May 27 at 9:00 AM EST. Register in full by September 1 and save $10.
Three days of real programming.
CEO Global brings together student entrepreneurs, founders, faculty advisors, and industry leaders for three days of hands-on programming designed to move you forward, not just inspire you!
Whether you're in the idea stage or already generating revenue, you'll leave with sharper skills, a bigger network, and a clearer path to what's next.
Each year, attendees experience:
- Immersive workshops and skill-building sessions across every stage of the entrepreneurial journey
- Keynote conversations with founders who've built real companies
- Hands-on challenges and interactive labs
- CEO's signature Global Pitch Competition
- Two evening networking receptions
Compete for $20,000 in non-dilutive funding.
The CEO Global Pitch Competition has been running for over four decades. It is the largest collegiate pitch competition in the country, and this year $20,000 in non-dilutive funding is available for the winners.
Any college student with an idea or an active venture can apply. Hundreds of teams enter each year. The Top 100 exhibit their ventures to the full conference on Friday morning. The Top 20 advance to the semi-finals. Eight teams make it to the final stage on Saturday afternoon.
Past winners have used the prize money to pay off manufacturing costs, attend industry trade shows, and fund product development. Two of them put it best:
"Placing 1st in the competition was a remarkable moment. It provided Interplay with great validation, feedback, and momentum. Being surrounded by like-minded entrepreneurs at CEO motivated me to continue to push the limits and make a difference."
— Jonaie Johnson, University of Missouri-Kansas City | Founder of Interplay | 2021 Winner
"The prize money is being put towards attending the Child Life Conference as a vendor — allowing us to speak in person with the people in our industry who can carry our products. We needed this funding to keep current clients happy and find new clients. We thank CEO greatly."
— Nick Nastasi, Rowan University | Founder of 4U Medical Designs | 2022 Winner
Application deadline: October 1, 2026
The people in this room matter.
Both evenings at CEO Global are built around getting students in front of the right people. You will meet fellow founders from schools across the country, alumni who have been where you are, faculty advisors, and corporate partners actively looking for student talent.
These are not cocktail hours with name tags. They are two of the best chances you will get all year to have real conversations with people who can actually help you move forward.
Clearwater Beach, Florida.
The conference is hosted at the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, a few steps from the Gulf of Mexico and a short drive from Tampa. All attendees stay at the conference hotel as part of the official CEO room block at $294 per room per night, available in single through quad occupancy.
Add your hotel room directly through the registration page — no separate booking link, no back and forth with the hotel. Once the reservation deadline passes, CEO submits the rooming list on your behalf and forwards your confirmation number directly to your advisor.
Rooms go quickly, and you may be placed at alternate housing. Book early.
The closest airports are St. Pete-Clearwater (PIE, 13 miles) and Tampa International (TPA, 20 miles). CEO members have access to exclusive travel discounts to help with the trip — flights, rental cars, and more.
Secure Your Spot
| Conference Registration | $175 per person |
| Hotel | $294 (per room, per night) |
Register in full by September 1 and save $10. Price increases to $200 after October 18.
Registration deadline: October 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST Hotel reservation deadline: October 18, 2026
Registration Options
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Registration Options
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Price |
|---|---|
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Conference Registration (Required)
Registration Opens 6/17/26 at 9:00 AM EST
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$150.00
Price will increase to $165.00 on
7/1/26
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Conference Housing (Deposit)
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$50.00 |
Product Add-ons
| Add-ons | Price |
|---|---|
| Include Optional Breakfast Package View Product | $115.00 |
| Include Optional Lunch Package View Product | $185.00 |
Agenda
| November 5 | |
| 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Conference Registration |
| 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM | Opening Session / Top-20 Pitch Competition Announced |
| 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM | Networking Social |
| November 6 | |
| 8:30 AM - 9:50 AM |
Top-100 Exhibit Expo
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| 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM |
Global Pitch Competition Semi Finals
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| 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM |
Keynote Session Featuring Kolin Jones / Top 8 Pitch Competition Announced
Hear from CEO alum Kolin Jones, Founder and CEO of Amalfi Jets, a $100M+ company, as he shares his journey building a global aviation business, followed by the announcement of the Top 8 teams advancing in the Global Pitch Competition. |
| 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
Networking Social
Connect and Network with your fellow CEO members at The Lowth Entrepreneurship Center. Pizza and soft drinks provided. Dress is casual. The Lowth Entrepreneurship Center is located at the University of Tampa, busing will be provided from the conference hotel. |
| November 7 | |
| 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
Keynote Session
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| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
Global Pitch Competition - Finals
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| 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM |
Closing Keynote Session / Awards
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Collegiate Partners
C-Suite Level
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Innovate Level Sponsors
Supporter Level Sponsors
Corporate Partners
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2026 CEO Global Pitch Competition
Starting a company is one of the most direct paths to building something of your own. As a college student, you have access to a rare advantage: the ability to compete for real funding with no equity given up and no downside risk. The 2026 CEO Global Pitch Competition is open for applications. Scroll down for competition stages, rules, important dates, and answers to common questions.
Competition Impact Highlights
Stage 1 — Application Review
Submit your application through the online form at joinceo.org. A panel of independent judges will review all submissions and select the Top 100 based solely on the information provided. First-place finishers of university-sponsored pitch competitions affiliated with CEO chapters are eligible for automatic entry into the Top 100. An online application is still required. Chapter faculty advisors must notify CEO Headquarters of their team's automatic entry status by Friday, October 17, 2026.
Stage 2 — Top 100 Video Review
A logistics meeting for all Top 100 teams and their faculty advisors will be held on Friday, October 23 via Zoom. Details on video submission requirements, judging criteria, and next steps will be covered during this call.
Top 100 teams must submit a video pitch to CEO Headquarters no later than 12:00 p.m. EST on Friday, October 30, 2026. Videos must be in .mp4 or .mov format and no longer than 90 seconds.
All Top 100 finalists are also invited to exhibit their ventures at the New Venture Expo on Friday morning, November 6, at the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach. The Expo runs from 8:30 to 9:50 a.m. and is open to all conference attendees. This is your chance to get your venture in front of 600 fellow students, founders, advisors, and industry partners.
Stage 3 — Top 20 Selection
A panel of independent judges will review all video submissions and select 20 teams to advance to the Semi-Finals.
The Top 20 Semi-Finalists will be announced live at the Opening Session on Thursday, November 5, at the 43rd Annual CEO Global Conference. All Top 100 teams attending the conference should be prepared for the possibility of advancing.
Stage 4 — Semi-Finals
Top 100 finalists will be announced on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, and recognized on the CEO website.
A logistics meeting for all Top 100 teams and their faculty advisors will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 via Zoom. Details on video submission requirements, judging criteria, and next steps will be covered during this call.
Top 100 teams must submit a video pitch to CEO Headquarters at no later than 12:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Videos must be in .mp4 or .mov format and no longer than 90 seconds.
Prize Funding
| Place | Prize |
| First Place | $8,000 |
| Second Place | $6,000 |
| Third Place | $4,000 |
| Fourth Place | $2,000 |
All taxes on prize winnings are the responsibility of the recipient. Winners will receive a 1099-Miscellaneous from the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization reflecting the amount awarded.
Past Winners
"Placing 1st in the competition was a remarkable moment. It provided Interplay with great validation, feedback, and momentum. Being surrounded by like-minded entrepreneurs at CEO motivated me to continue to push the limits and make a difference."
— Jonaie Johnson, University of Missouri-Kansas City | Founder of Interplay | 2021 Winner
"The prize money is being put towards attending the Child Life Conference as a vendor — allowing us to speak in person with the people in our industry who can carry our products. We needed this funding to keep current clients happy and find new clients. We thank CEO greatly."
— Nick Nastasi, Rowan University | Founder of 4U Medical Designs | 2022 Winner
Additional Past Winners
- 2023: Harrison Nastasi and Justin Iannelli | Bobica Bars | Rowan University
- 2024: Antonio Marzoratt, Arav Tyagi, Ivan Zou | Technotonin Industries | Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- 2025: Boluwarin (Bolu) Ojo | Spark Defy | Iowa State University
Frequently Asked Questions
Important Dates
Applications open in Summer 2026
- Thursday, October 1: Applications close at 11:59 p.m. EST
- Thursday, October 22: Top 100 finalists announced
- Friday, October 23: Top 100 logistics meeting via Zoom, open to teams and faculty advisors
- Tuesday, October 27: 90-second video submissions due to CEO HQ by 12:00 p.m. EST
- Monday, November 3: Top 20 Semi-Finalists contacted by phone to confirm attendance
- Tuesday, November 4: Top 20 Semi-Finalists announced. Pitch decks due to CEO HQ by 12:00 p.m. EST
- Thursday, November 5: 43rd Annual CEO Global Conference begins, Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
- Friday, November 6: Semi-Finals. Top 8 announced.
- Saturday, November 7: Finals on the main stage. Winners announced.
Competition Sponsors
The 2026 CEO Global Pitch Competition is supported by the John E. and Jeanne T. Hughes Charitable Foundation, The University of Tampa, and the Hillsborough County Economic Development Innovation Initiative (EDI2).
CEO Global Conference Awards
The CEO Global Conference Awards recognize the students, chapter leaders, faculty advisors, and alumni who are doing the work. Four competitive awards are presented each year to members who have demonstrated real results — in their ventures, their chapters, and their communities. One honorary award is selected by CEO Headquarters and presented from the main stage.
Award submissions open on July 1, 2026 and close on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Nominate Now View Previous Award Winners
Built While Enrolled
CEO Collegiate Entrepreneur of the Year
$500 Cash Award
This award goes to the student who did not wait. The CEO Collegiate Entrepreneur of the Year is a current student, an active CEO member, and the founder of a business generating real revenue at the time of submission. This is not an award for potential. It is recognition for what you have already built.
Who should be nominated:
- Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student at a CEO member institution
- Active CEO member
- Operating a business with verified sales and revenue
- Able to speak clearly to growth, customers, and next steps
- Participate in the 2026 CEO Global Pitch Competition
Prize:
$500 non-dilutive cash award, presented at the Global Conference Awards Ceremony on Saturday, November 7.
Nominate for Collegiate Entrepreneur of the Year
The Chapter That Sets the Standard
CEO Chapter President of the Year
$500 Cash Award
A great chapter president does not just show up. They set direction, recruit students who would not otherwise find entrepreneurship, build events worth attending, and leave the chapter better than they found it. This award recognizes the chapter president in the CEO network who did exactly that.
Who should be nominated:
- Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student at a CEO member institution
- Active CEO member
- Operating a business with verified sales and revenue
- Able to speak clearly to growth, customers, and next steps
- Participate in the 2026 CEO Global Pitch Competition
Prize:
$500 non-dilutive cash award, presented at the Global Conference Awards Ceremony on Saturday, November 7.
Nominate for Chapter President of the Year
The Person Every Chapter Needs
James H. Hunter Chapter Advisor of the Year
$500 Cash Award
CEO chapters run on student energy, but they last because of their advisors. The James H. Hunter Chapter Advisor of the Year Award honors the faculty or staff advisor who shows up consistently, helps chapter leadership navigate institutional challenges, and keeps the chapter grounded when student turnover happens every year.
This award is named in honor of James H. Hunter, whose commitment to faculty advising shaped what a great CEO chapter advisor looks like.
Who should be nominated:
- Currently serves as an active chapter advisor at a CEO member institution
- Nominations may be submitted by a chapter president, student member, or fellow faculty member
- Nominee or nominator must be registered for and attending the 2026 CEO Global Conference
Prize:
$500 non-dilutive cash award, presented at the Global Conference Awards Ceremony on Saturday, November 7.
Best in the Network
CEO Global Chapter of the Year
$500 Cash Payment
One chapter each year stands out across the entire CEO network. The Global Chapter of the Year has not just hosted events. It has built something. This award goes to the chapter that delivered a full, meaningful entrepreneurship experience for its members: strong programming, real community, and results that show up in what its students go on to do.
Finalists for this award will present at the conference. Attendance is required.
Who should be nominated:
- Active, dues-current CEO member institution
- Can document programming, membership numbers, events, partnerships, and notable outcomes from the 2025-2026 academic year
- Chapter representative must be registered for and attending the 2026 CEO Global Conference
Prize:
$500 non-dilutive cash award, presented at the Global Conference Awards Ceremony. Chapter award checks are made payable to the university.
Nominate for Chapter of the Year
A Career Worth Celebrating
CEO Legacy Award
Honorary Alumni Recognition | Selected by CEO Headquarters | No Nomination Required
Each year at the CEO Global Conference, CEO Headquarters presents the CEO Legacy Award to an alumnus who has gone on to build something significant and who continues to invest in the next generation of founders.
This award is not applied for. It is extended as an invitation to someone whose story reflects what is possible when a student entrepreneur commits to the long game.
The CEO Legacy Award replaces and expands upon the CEO Hall of Fame, moving the recognition from a list to a moment. Presented live from the main stage each year in front of the full conference, it is one of the most meaningful recognitions CEO offers.
The 2026 CEO Legacy Award recipient will be announced at the conference.
Award Submission Guidelines
Before submitting a nomination, review the following requirements. Submissions that do not meet these criteria will not be considered.
Eligibility
- The nominee and nominator must be current CEO members in good standing
- All nominees and nominators must be registered for and attending the 2026 CEO Global Conference in Clearwater Beach, Florida
- Students nominated for individual awards must be currently enrolled during the Fall 2026 semester
Attendance Requirements
- All nominees must attend the Chapter Leadership Sessions on Thursday, November 5
- Finalists selected to present must be available Friday, November 6, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
- Check in with the conference registration desk at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time
- Presentations will not be rescheduled or substituted on-site
Presentations
- Selected finalists will deliver a 5 to 8-minute presentation on their award topic during the Friday afternoon award sessions
- Any presentation software is acceptable, including PowerPoint, Canva, or Google Slides
- Dress is business casual or professional
Prize Distribution
- Award recipients must submit a completed IRS Form W-9 before funds are distributed
- Individual awards are issued as checks to the recipient
- Chapter awards are issued as checks to the university
- Mailing information collected during your submission will be used for disbursement
Consent
By submitting a nomination, you give CEO permission to use the nominee's name, photo, and likeness in promotional materials. You also grant CEO rights to any still photography, video, broadcast, or audio recordings made during the conference.
Important Dates
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July 1, 2026 |
Award nominations open |
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Sept. 30, 2026 |
Award nominations close at 11:59 p.m. EST |
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Oct. 2026 |
Finalists notified by CEO Headquarters |
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Nov. 5 |
CEO Global Conference begins. Chapter Leadership Sessions required for all award nominees. |
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Nov. 6 |
Award finalist presentations beginning at 1:00 p.m. |
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Nov. 7 |
All award recipients recognized at the closing ceremony. |
Fund Your Trip to #CEOGlobal
University funding for educational conferences is a resource student organizations often overlook. CEO HQ has drafted a letter you can customize and share with administrative offices on your campus.
Who to Ask for Funding
University Relations
Student Government
College of Business Dean
Provost Office
Entrepreneurship Center
Office of Student Travel
Dean of Students
Chapter Dues Matter Too
Beyond institutional funding, CEO HQ strongly recommends charging chapter dues. Member-funded chapters see stronger buy-in, higher engagement and a real sense of ownership in the organization. That investment from members supports your chapter's day-to-day programming and builds the kind of commitment that makes chapters last.
We hope to see as many chapter presidents, faculty advisors and members as possible this fall. With institutional support behind you, this is shaping up to be one of our best conferences yet.
For More Information:
401 West Kennedy Boulevard Box 2FTampa, Florida 33606
United States 813.258.7236