2026-2027 Spark Tank Competition
Turn Your Business Idea Into Your Next Big Step.
The 2026-2027 Spark Tank, supported by the Spark Center Ignite Fund, gives college student entrepreneurs
the opportunity to compete for up to $10,000 in grant funding to grow their businesses.
Selected participants may also be considered for residency opportunities at a Spartanburg Community College Spark Center.
Who Can Apply?
The competition is open to currently enrolled college students who are entrepreneurs located in Cherokee, Spartanburg, or Union County.
How It Works
Submit an application sharing your business, product or service, market opportunity, revenue strategy, planned use of funds, and entrepreneurial experience.
Five finalists and two alternates will be selected to advance.
Finalists will receive a startup pitch deck template and participate in a Pitch Information Session and two Pitch Prep Sessions.
Get feedback and coaching from experienced entrepreneurs, business leaders, and pitching experts as you refine your story and presentation.
Finalists will deliver a 10-minute business pitch to a panel of judges at the Spark Tank Finals at Spartanburg Community College's Downtown Campus.
Judges will select the winning ventures, with up to $10,000 in total grant funding available. Multiple ventures may receive awards.
Important Dates
October 17, 2026 | Application Information Session
Spartanburg (Giles) Campus | Tracy Gaines Auditorium:
Spark Tank Info Session 1: 11:30 AM
Spark Tank Info Session 2: 1:30 PM
Spark Tank Info Session 3: 3:30 PM
Sign up for a Session
Please note: these sessions are running during SCC’s Annual Fall Festival (hyperlink to the fall festival page). When you arrive, please check in and let the team know you’re attending a Spark Tank Session, and you will be guided to the correct location.
November 12, 2026 | Pitch Information Session
Downtown (Evans) Campus | Room 209:
Spark Tank Info Session 1: 5 PM
Spark Tank Info Session 2: 6 PM
Please note: these sessions are running during SCC’s Fall Career Fair. When you arrive, please check in and let the team know you’re attending a Spark Tank Session, and you will be guided to the correct location.
November 19, 2026
| Pitch Prep Session #1
Tyger River Campus | Spark Center
December 10, 2026
| Pitch Prep Session #2
Tyger River Campus | Spark Center
January 7, 2027
| Spark Tank Finals
Downtown (Evans) Campus | Auditorium
Apply for 2026 - 2027 Spark Tank
" After working with start-up companies at the Spark Center for more than sixteen years, one recurring challenge became unmistakably clear: most of them struggled to secure the initial capital needed to launch. Recognizing this critical gap, I created the Spark Ignite Fund—a grant initiative designed to support promising ventures at the very beginning of their journey. "
- Mike Forrester, Founder of The Spark Fund