Alumni Track competition 

The Hawk Tank Alumni Track is a competitive business plan challenge for recent graduates who are ready to rigorously assess an early-stage business idea. Participants develop and refine a complete business plan, receive structured feedback from experienced professionals, and compete for cash funding based on the strength, viability, and execution of their proposal. 

Business plans from nearly any industry are welcome, with limited exceptions. 

Who this track is for 

The Alumni Track is open to: 

  • Recent Fort Lewis College alumni 
  • Recent San Juan College alumni 
  • Individuals or teams of up to five participants 

Each team must have at least one eligible alumnus or alumna serving as the team leader. Individuals may participate on only one team. 

*Eligible alumni are those who graduated between Fall 2020 and Fall 2025. 

Prizes and awards 

Alumni Track participants compete for a cash award granted to the top-ranked business plan. 

  • 1st place: $5,000

Awards are based on competitive evaluation and are intended to support next steps toward launch or early growth. 

What you’ll do 

Alumni Track participants will: 

  • develop a comprehensive business plan suitable for external review 
  • evaluate market readiness, risk, and growth potential 
  • articulate a clear value proposition and execution strategy 
  • present and defend their business concept to judges with real-world business experience 

This track emphasizes feasibility, discipline, and readiness, not just ideas. 

  • Eligibility overview
  • How to participate
  • Guidelines for all participants
Eligibility overview

To participate in the Alumni Track: 

  • At least one team member must have graduated from FLC or SJC within the past five years. 
  • Team leader (i.e., “President”) must be an eligible recent graduate. 
  • Individuals may be members of only one team. 
  • New ventures must be less than one year old and may not have received prior external funding. 
  • Businesses in the marijuana industry are not eligible. 
  • Fort Lewis College and San Juan College faculty members are not eligible to participate. 

This track is intended for alumni actively evaluating launch or early growth, not established businesses. 

Register for Hawk Tank Submit your business plan

View events and workshops

How to participate
  1. Register for Hawk Tank.
  2. Attend workshops and preparation sessions (optional but strongly encouraged).
  3. Submit a written business plan and one-minute video pitch. Detailed submission requirements, formatting guidelines, and deadlines are available on the Submit Your Business Plan page. 
  4.  
Guidelines for all participants

Participants have access to developmental support throughout the competition, including workshops, mentorship opportunities, and connections to regional business resources. 

Support may include: 

Hawk Tank Mentor Program 

  • Studio G — Arrowhead Center 
  • American Indian Business Enterprise Center (AIBE) 
  • The Big Idea @ San Juan College Makerspace 
  • Fort Lewis College Beta Alpha Psi 
  • San Juan College Small Business Development Center 
  • Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center 
  • Fort Lewis College Center for Innovation 

Workshop topics may include: 

  • Business plans 101 
  • Presenting your business idea 
  • Market analysis 
  • Revenue forecasting 
  • Costs, cash, and capital 
  • Accounting for startups 
  • Competition analysis 

Mentor participation is optional and based on availability.

Guidelines for all participants

The following guidelines apply to all Hawk Tank competition tracks
Finals presentation requirement (all tracks)