Apply Today: 2025 Pepperdine University Startup Competition

Pepperdine University’s 2025 Most Fundable Companies® startup competition is now open for Round 1 applications!

US-based startups, all industries, pre-revenue/pre-seed through Series A are eligible.

Affiliation with Pepperdine is not required. The first round is a short Pre-Screen survey.

Last year, over 2,300 startups participated, representing all 50 states for the fifth consecutive year. Startups do not have to be affiliated with Pepperdine University to enter. And, the program is much more than a pitch competition. The program educates founders and emulates the investor diligence process, with free feedback reports on attractiveness to potential investors.

Out of the startups Pepperdine evaluates between February and September each year, they publish an annual list of companies worthy of serious investor consideration, the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School’s Most Fundable Companies List.

Winners are featured at an award showcase on Pepperdine's campus in Malibu, CA on September 24, 2025, in national press, and the list is published in print and online in Entrepreneur Magazine. Since 2018, list winners have raised over $360 million.

There is no charge for startups to enter the competition. Thanks to the support of sponsors such as the Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship, JPMorgan, and Withum, the Most Fundable Companies program is completely free.

Additional key dates, more information, and a link to enter can be found at bschool.pepperdine.edu/mfc

The first round application deadline is midnight pacific time May 20th.

Get more information here.