Beckley, WV (WOAY)- The West Virginia Hive and West Virginia University of Technology Launch Lab are seeking entrepreneurs to enter the 2024 Pitch Southern West Virginia Business Idea Competition.
The competition kicks off on April 23 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm on WVU Tech’s campus in Beckley.
Entries are open to entrepreneurs of new start-ups and businesses operating for less than three years.
This year’s competition has undergone a restructuring from community and student divisions to an incubation division for participants for registered businesses and an ideation division for fledgling entrepreneurs in the beginning stages.
Each entrepreneur will have five minutes to present their idea and explain why their business is innovative and how it will spark changes in Southern West Virginia.
A panel of judges will evaluate the presentation and conduct a brief question-and-answer portion afterward.
Judges will select three winners for the incubation division; first place wins $2,000, Second place wins $1,000, and third place wins $750.
Judges will select one winner for the ideation division, who will win a $1000 cash prize.
There will also be an audience favorite award where everyone in attendance will vote for their favorite pitch of the evening, with the winner earning a $250 cash prize.
Anyone interested in participating can apply at wvhive.com.
The application deadline has been extended to Sunday, March 31.
