While NBA All-Star Weekend captivated basketball fans across the globe in Los Angeles, the NBA Foundation made sure to add a dynamic entrepreneurial spark to the celebration: the NBA All-Star Pitch Competition.

More than just entertainment, this event highlighted the league’s commitment to economic empowerment, community innovation, and inclusive opportunity.

Traditionally, NBA All-Star Weekend brings electrifying basketball — from the Slam Dunk Contest to the All-Star Game itself. But the 2026 festivities, centered in Los Angeles, broadened that spotlight by integrating social impact programming that went beyond athletic prowess. Among these was the All-Star Pitch Competition, a first-of-its-kind event blending entrepreneurship with the culture and energy of the NBA.

Held on February 12 at the Kia Forum, the competition provided a platform for founders and innovators to present their business ideas to a panel of influential judges, with $200,000 in total cash prizes up for grabs.

The Pitch Competition’s 2026 theme was Game Changers: Creators Building the Future, which underscored its purpose: to spotlight entrepreneurs whose ideas are driving social and economic mobility in their communities. Participants came from diverse industries, bringing solutions that ranged from health and education to tech, community engagement, and beyond.

All-Star Weekend energy was in full effect during the event with celebrity hosts such as Issa Rae, live music, and a Fireside chat from NBA Legend Joakin Noah. The event delivered the same high-energy atmosphere fans associate with NBA big-stage moments.

The Pitch Competition wasn’t a standalone event — it was built on a series of semifinals and developmental programming. Earlier rounds brought together early-stage startups from Southern California, where entrepreneurs pitched to a panel of venture capitalists, business leaders, and NBA Foundation partners. Only seven finalists emerged from these semifinals to compete at the Kia Forum on February 12.

Finalists included founders behind companies focused on everything from AI-driven eldercare to community engagement platforms, representing a broad array of sectors and social missions.

First Place – Hamilton Perkins (Hamilton Perkins Collection)

• Company/Idea: Hamilton Perkins Collection — a manufacturing startup focused on sustainability by transforming hard-to-recycle plastics and textile waste into high-value materials and products.

• Prize: $100,000 to grow his business, scale production, and expand community impact.

• About Him: Perkins relocated his business from the East Coast to Los Angeles and has partnered with organizations like the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator to refine and scale his processes. His pitch emphasized turning environmental challenges (like textile waste) into profitable solutions.

Second Place – Anwar Douglas (Imperium Care)

• Company/Idea: Imperium Care — a business dedicated to innovating elder care services using technology (including AI) to improve quality, efficiency, and compassion in care delivery.

• Douglas was recognized for a model that blends social impact with scalable tech solutions to address one of the fastest-growing care needs nationwide.

Third Place – Yosh Miller (Hadley)

• Company/Idea: Hadley — a financial planning and savings platform focused on helping families fund education goals through smart, accessible tools (often leveraging 529 plans and other education savings mechanisms).

• Miller’s pitch highlighted easing barriers for parents and students navigating the rising costs of education.

Special Recognition — Mayowa Arogundade (Equal IQ)

• Award: American Express Winner (special prize category)

• Company/Idea: Equal IQ — an AI-powered deal orchestrator designed to simplify and streamline contracts and payments for businesses, particularly in underserved markets.

Other Finalists Who Took the Stage

While they didn’t take home the top cash awards, several other entrepreneurs showcased compelling ventures during the finals (all based in the Los Angeles area):

• Generation Connect: Focused on building intergenerational community engagement by linking youth and older adults through programs and services. (Founder: Candace Walker)

• Thimble: A needle care system designed to improve safety, ease, and hygiene in medical and personal contexts. (Founder: Manju Dawkins)

• UR Prospects: A platform aimed at broadening exposure for student-athletes, helping them connect with college recruiters and expand opportunities. (Founder: Kristina Wilson)

These ventures were selected as part of the seven competitors who advanced from earlier semifinals – all chosen for their potential to drive economic and social impact in their communities, especially within the Los Angeles innovation ecosystem.

The 2026 NBA All-Star Pitch Competition wasn’t just about cash prizes; it served as a platform to elevate community-focused entrepreneurs. The competition puts them in front of business leaders, potential investors, and an energized All-Star audience. It aligned with the NBA Foundation’s mission to foster economic opportunity, support small business growth, and connect founders in historically underserved communities to capital and visibility.

As the league continues to expand the cultural reach of its marquee events, the pitch competition stands as a testament to how sport can inspire every kind of game changer — whether they’re building businesses, communities, or the future itself.