Awards
Awards include general cash prizes and Andrews Launch Accelerator sponsorships. Cash awards can be used for general expenses, as well as for materials, supplies, and work within the Wilson College of Textiles fabrication and testing facilities.
In 2027, thirteen awards will be presented: five based on judges’ scores and five based on audience voting. Only one award is allowed per team. Additional awards will be available from sponsorships through the Andrews Launch Accelerator. These awards have a separate judging system and are available based on individual eligibility.
2027 Awards
- First Place
- $10,000 Cash Prize
- Second Place
- $8,000 Cash Prize
- Third Place
- $6,000 Cash Prize
- Fourth Place
- $5,000 Cash Prize
- Fifth Place
- $4,000 Cash Prize
- Entrepreneur of the Year
- $1,000 Cash Prize
- Undergraduate Students Only
- Audience Choice Awards ($1,000 Prize Each)
- Best Community Impact
- Best Presenter
- Most Innovative
- Most Practical
- Most Sustainable
- Andrews Launch Accelerator Award (two spots, each $10,000 value)
- Eligibility: Any startup that has a co-founding member who is either a current NC State student (undergraduate or graduate) or is a recent graduate (meaning they graduated 5 or fewer years ago).
- More information on Andrews Launch Accelerator
All finalists must agree to the Pitch to the Pack Finalist Contest Rules and Agreement, which includes rules and regulations around pre-pitch activities, lab conduct, team disputes, and IP considerations.
Past Awards
2026 Awards
- First Place
- $10,000 Cash Prize
- Second Place
- $8,000 Cash Prize
- Third Place
- $6,500 Cash Prize
- Fourth Place
- $5,500 Cash Prize
- Fifth Place
- $4,000 Cash Prize
2026 Audience Choice Awards
- Best Community Impact | $1,000 Cash Prize
- Best Presenter | $1,000 Cash Prize
- Most Innovative | $1,000 Cash Prize
- Most Practical | $1,000 Cash Prize
- Most Sustainable | $1,000 Cash Prize
2026 Additional Awards
- Andrews Launch Accelerator Award | Two spots, each $10,000 value
- First Flight Venture Center ‘First Class’ Coworking Membership | One spot, $2,500 value
2025 Awards
- First Place
- Andrews Launch Accelerator Sponsorship (worth $10,000)
- Project Budget: $10,000 to use in the Wilson College of Textiles fabrication and testing facilities and for materials and supplies
- Second Place
- Andrews Launch Accelerator Sponsorship (worth $10,000)
- Project Budget: $8,000 to use in the Wilson College of Textiles fabrication and testing facilities and for materials and supplies
- Third Place
- First Flight Venture Center Propeller Pre-Accelerator Program (worth $1,000)
- Project Budget: $7,000 to use in the Wilson College of Textiles fabrication and testing facilities and for materials and supplies
- Fourth Place
- Project Budget: $6,000 to use in the Wilson College of Textiles fabrication and testing facilities and for materials and supplies
- Fifth Place
- Project Budget: $4,000 to use in the Wilson College of Textiles fabrication and testing facilities and for materials and supplies
2025 Audience Choice Awards
- Best Speaker | Project Budget: $1,000 to use in the Wilson College of Textiles fabrication and testing facilities and for materials and supplies
- Most Innovative | Project Budget: $1,000 to use in the Wilson College of Textiles fabrication and testing facilities and for materials and supplies
- Most Sustainable | Project Budget: $1,000 to use in the Wilson College of Textiles fabrication and testing facilities and for materials and supplies
- Best-Value Add | Project Budget: $1,000 to use in the Wilson College of Textiles fabrication and testing facilities and for materials and supplies
The deadline to spend awards is December 2025. More information will be provided after the event.