Three scenes from College of Fine Arts and Communication events: a student at an outdoor information table, students and organizations gathered on a campus lawn, and a speaker addressing attendees at an indoor event.

Aman Pirate Challenge – CFAC

 

Enter the Challenge!

Calling All CFAC Pirates for the Gene T. Aman Pirate Challenge

East Carolina University’s College of Fine Arts and Communication, in collaboration with the College of Business, invites CFAC student teams to pitch their most innovative and creative ideas in the inaugural:

Aman Pirate Challenge CFAC Round

Friday, October 16, 2026
Proctor-Yongue House / 601 E 5th Street
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM – CFAC Round

Registration is NOW OPEN!
👉 https://go.ecu.edu/cfac_apc

Registration is limited to twenty teams total, so early registration is encouraged.

Note that registration through the CFAC form is separate from the required ECU-wide Aman Pirate Challenge registration. Both are needed for your team to be recognized.

👉 ECU Aman Pirate Challenge / Miller School of Entrepreneurship

What is the Aman Pirate Challenge?

The Aman Pirate Challenge (APC) is ECU’s premier entrepreneurship pitch competition—and the largest of its kind in the UNC System. Launched in 2018, the APC has featured student-led teams from over 50 academic programs across ECU.

This year, approximately $200,000 in cash and in-kind services will be awarded, making APC the richest student pitch competition in North Carolina.

For this round, the student pitch will focus on an initial project concept—no need for a fully developed proposal. Each team will have 5 minutes to present, followed by 5 minutes of questions from the judging panel listed at the bottom of this page (coming soon).

To help teams prepare, CFAC will visit each school for an information session in mid-September, along with a virtual question and answer session for all teams on Friday, September 18, at 12 p.m. A link will be sent to registered students ahead of the session.

Info session: 12pm September 18 (WebEx: link) Webinar Password: N4j82NYfFVx

CFAC Challenge Awards & Incentives

Thanks to the generosity of the APC Organizing Team, all CFAC teams will present in both the CFAC and ECU Round 1 competitions, gaining valuable feedback and exposure, and prizes!

  • 1st Place – $500 (automatically advances to ECU Round 2 in Spring 2026)

  • 2nd Place – $300

  • 3rd Place – $200

  • All other participating teams receive a $100 incentive per team.

CFAC Panel of Judges

Joey Ellis – Creative Director, Duolingo (Charlotte, NC)
ECU School of Art and Design alumnus (graduated 2002). Based in Charlotte, NC, where he has lived since graduation; has worked remotely for Duolingo for six years after an earlier career in graphic design.

Amanda D. Miller, MA, SCMP – Principal, Mavis Consulting (Raleigh, NC)
ECU School of Communication alumna. Based in Raleigh. Founded Mavis Consulting in 2013 after prior roles in health communications (including CDC-affiliated work); advises health and life sciences executives on strategic communications and organizational change.

Brittni and Alex Bryant – Owners, The Throwback (New York City, NY)
Both ECU School of Theatre and Dance alumni. Brittni is Owner/Marketing and Events Coordinator of The Throwback; Alex is CEO of Three Finger Pour LLC. Longstanding CFAC alumni relationship, including hosting past NYC alumni gatherings and the planned Alternative Spring Break NYC event in March 2027. Joining judging virtually on October 16.

Questions?

Contact: Seo Eo
eos@ecu.edu |  252 328-6281