WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — Nine students and five faculty members from the Gary E. West College of Business at West Liberty University attended the 3 Rivers Venture Fair (3RVF) in Pittsburgh on February 4–5, 2026, gaining firsthand exposure to entrepreneurship, venture capital, and the realities of building early-stage companies.
The trip was coordinated by Dr. Michael Tompkins, assistant professor in the College of Business. The College also participated as an event sponsor through a $4,500 sponsorship supported by ASPIRE grant funding and a private donor contribution.
The 3 Rivers Venture Fair brings together founders, investors, and business leaders for two days of programming focused on innovation, startup growth, and investment strategy. A key experiential learning component for West Liberty students was participation in Venture Connection, where students were paired with venture capitalists and sat in on live investor conversations with startup founders.
That access provided a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how investors evaluate opportunities, the types of questions asked during pitch discussions, how founders respond under pressure, and how credibility is built in real time.
“This trip reflects the College of Business’s deep commitment to experiential learning and to creating opportunities that connect classroom learning to real business environments,” said Dr. Tompkins. “It can be difficult to fully show students what the venture capital and startup space looks like from inside a classroom. When students attend an event like this, they get to see what we talk about in practice, in real time, with real stakes.”
Throughout the conference, participants engaged with sessions on timely topics including data privacy and AI governance, building strong financial models and cash-flow forecasts, and emerging trends in the artificial intelligence deal market. The program also featured keynote remarks from Kevin Acklin, Shareholder at Stevens & Lee and former Pittsburgh Penguins executive, and Dr. Zico Kolter, professor and head of the Machine Learning Department at Carnegie Mellon University and a member of OpenAI’s Board of Directors.
Faculty members also viewed the conference as an opportunity to strengthen regional connections and better understand current startup and investment trends. Conversations with founders and investors provided insight into what companies are building, what investors are prioritizing, and the skills students need as they prepare for internships and careers.
For students, the experience connected classroom theory directly to professional practice.
Two accounting majors, Luke Sweat and Chance Maffe, emphasized how the event built a real-world perspective on pitching, professionalism, and networking. “I got a whole new appreciation for what it means to be an entrepreneur,” Sweat said. “The lengths that business owners go to try to secure funding for their product or idea are monumental. You can see firsthand which sales strategies work, and which do not.” Maffe said the experience helped him learn what effective investor communication looks like by seeing a range of pitches and hearing direct feedback on how founders can better showcase their ideas.
“What stood out to me was the passion and clarity each entrepreneur had when presenting their ideas,” said Ella Costain, a marketing major. “As a marketing major, I paid close attention to how each venture communicated what made their business unique and how they stood out in the market. It was inspiring to see innovation paired with strong branding and messaging.”
Costain added that the event also created meaningful professional connections. “I had the opportunity to connect with several professionals, and since the event, I’ve had follow-up conversations that have led to potential job opportunities. That was especially meaningful to me as it showed how powerful networking and professional presence can be.”
The Gary E. West College of Business continues to prioritize immersive learning experiences that prepare students to lead, innovate, and compete in today’s evolving business landscape.
West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students’ aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. To apply or learn more about West Liberty University, visit westliberty.edu.
Media Contact:
Rhone Thrash
West Liberty University
rhone.thrash@westliberty.edu
