Beckley, W.Va. (Oct. 2, 2023) – Leaders of the West Virginia Hive and West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) Launch Lab announced today the entrepreneurs who will be presenting their business strategies at the October 12, 2023 Southern West Virginia Business Idea Pitch Competition on the campus of WVU Tech.
Initial entries received in the community and student categories were judged, and the in-person presentation line-up includes:
Community
Students
Diana Woods, director of the WVU Tech Launch Lab, said the top prize award for community submitted business entries is $2,250 for first place. Prizes of $1,000 and $500 will be awarded to the second and third place winners of the community business competition with a special prize of $1,000 to the first-place winner of the student competition. There will also be a technical assistance package added to the community and student divisions in the amount of $2,500 for first place, $1,500 for second place, and $750 for third place awards. The technical assistance funds will be used to contract vendors to provide important startup business services including marketing and accounting services or training, and website development.
Judy Moore, executive director of the WV Hive and deputy director of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority, said a panel of judges will select the winners. Entries were open to residents and businesses located in Raleigh, Fayette, Nicholas, Summers, Webster, Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Monroe, Mercer, Wyoming, McDowell, Logan and Mingo Counties and WVU Tech students, faculty and staff. Businesses being pitched are required to be new start-ups or in operation for less than three years.
The event is from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on October 12. The link to register to attend the pitch competition is: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pitch-southern-wv-business-idea-competition-tickets-696280442547?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
Woods said a new element with this installment is the “audience favorite” award. She said those in attendance will vote for their favorite business idea pitch, and the entrepreneur who receives the most votes will win $250.
Funds for the awards have been contributed by private sponsors, including United Bank (gold sponsor), New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (gold sponsor) and Stephens Auto and WV Auto Buyers (silver sponsor). All sponsorship funds are provided to the contestants as winnings.
Community entrepreneurs and West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) students presented their business ideas last night before an expert panel of judges and a live audience at the Pitch Southern West Virginia Business Idea Competition on the WVU Tech campus.
West Virginia Hive is hosting its next “Coffee Talks” networking session from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 30 at Wild Roots Coffeehouse, 860 Mercer Street in Princeton.
Leaders of the West Virginia Hive and West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) Launch Lab announced today the entrepreneurs who will be presenting their business strategies at the April 23, 2024 Pitch Southern West Virginia business idea competition on the campus of WVU Tech.
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