The Griggs Center for Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy opened nominations for its first Founder Awards, a new annual tradition to honor alumni founders and alumni-led businesses, which will launch on Oct. 15 during the 2026 Homecoming Weekend. 

This event will celebrate alumni who are building outstanding companies and making an impact through entrepreneurship. Students can attend the awards for free and connect with the alumni, as the alumni are recognized for their work. 

“The ACU Founder Awards will spotlight the fastest-growing businesses, as well as emerging companies and founders from among ACU alumni,” said Dr. Jim Litton, director of the Griggs Center for Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy. “This initiative reflects our commitment to celebrating and strengthening the entrepreneurial spirit across the ACU community.”

Wildcat-owned or wildcat-led businesses get nominated for the award. Anyone can place a nomination through the website, and the applications are later narrowed down. Selected nominees will be invited to complete a formal application in mid-April.

Madie Hall, director of ACU Entrepreneurship Network, is coordinating the event on behalf of the Griggs Center. She hopes this event will become a long-lasting legacy. 

“One of the most powerful things will be for students to see somebody like them who once sat in the classrooms they are now running the company and building something meaningful,” said Hall. “ACU has so many incredible founders across the country, and this is our opportunity to tell their stories and celebrate the impact that they’re making.”

The event is made possible by many partners who are excited to celebrate the COBA alumni, which Hall said is a major part of the planning process.

“One thing is finding partners that want to celebrate the entrepreneurship with us,” Hall said. “One of our main sponsors is LeadWell advisory partners. They’re an ACU alum-owned business with an alumni founder, and they’re really excited about celebrating and supporting the next wave of founders.”

The Griggs Center hopes to continue this yearly tradition with a vision to celebrate the ACU entrepreneurs and to inspire the next generation of founders.