WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., April 20, 2016 — West Liberty University began its pitch contests four years ago and continues to offer a format for presentation of new ideas for business start ups in the region. Its next pitch contest will be held from 6 – 8 p.m., Thursday, April 28 at the Sleep Inn, 8 Walmart Drive, Moundsville. It will immediately follow the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours taking place at Sleep Inn that evening.

“We are grateful to the Marshall County Chamber and all our sponsors for their help in planning and ensuring that the April 28 Pitch Contest is another great opportunity for business start-ups in the region. It’s a great example of business to business outreach,” said Dr. Carrie White, director of WLU’s Center for Entrepreneurship and professor of business law and entrepreneurship at the Gary E. West College of Business.

Sponsors include the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, Marshall County Chamber of Commerce, RED (Regional Economic Development Partnership), Sleep Inn & Suites, Vision Shared and the Gary E. West College of Business.

Local entrepreneurs and small business owners had until April 22 to submit their ideas and get in on the pitching action. The contest offers a $2,500 award to the winning business presentation.

“We expect another fun event, with new business ideas discussed, networking and voting. Probably the best thing about our pitch contests is the learning and encouragement that entrepreneurs receive from other professionals,” explained White.

The pitch contest is an enjoyable way to network, pitch new ideas and potentially receive funding based on audience participation. WLU Pitch Contests have funded eight businesses locally and continue to offer WLU business students an opportunity to learn about business plans, start-ups and how to create opportunity.

Judges for the competition include local business leaders.

Some of the successful businesses that have come out of previous contests include Clutch Gaming, owned by WLU entrepreneurship graduate Devin Harrison, Mason Dixon BBQ Co., founded by Alumnus Patrick Fisher, Happy Goat Yoga, owned by Alumna Lindsay Schooler and Mmm … Popcorn, owned by Alumnus Dave McFarland.

“Even past participants who didn’t win the big prize money are grateful for the experience of participating because of what they learned about their idea and tips that the judges might have shared with them. They claim it’s an invaluable experience, whether you win or not,” White said.

The Pitch Contest is open to the public both as participants and audience members. The audience enjoys the chance to learn about what is in the works locally with new business ideas and plays a part when voting for the best ideas presented at the end of the hour-long presentation session. Each pitcher gets five minutes to present, followed by questions and answers. Voting by both the audience and judges then takes place and the prize-winning pitch is announced.

The Center for Entrepreneurship is a division of the Gary E. West College of Business and acts as a catalyst job creation in the region. The pitch contest is just one of the new business programs that it fuels. Others include a business incubator (housed in WLU’s Main Hall) and an entrepreneurship minor for WLU students.

Entrepreneurs seeking more information should contact White at 304-336-8159 or at cwhite@westliberty.edu.

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