Springboard began more than a decade ago as a competition to encourage and support entrepreneurship at Abilene Christian University, in the city of Abilene, and across the Big Country. Since its launch, Springboard has awarded more than $1 million to aspiring entrepreneurs across the region and served as a platform to connect, train, encourage and highlight our region’s startups. ACU’s Springboard is organized by the Griggs Center for Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy and made possible each year by a number of local organizations and businesses that sponsor the program.

This year's competition will award $30,000 to teams in the Abilene area. The competition usually targets early-stage businesses that are still in their first three years of operation. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year we will also be accepting submissions from existing businesses that are making a significant pivot in their business.