West Liberty University’s Center for Entrepreneurship will be hosting the Entrepreneurs Pitch Contest from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26 at the new Intellectual Capitol, located at located at 1413 Eoff Street, in the historic First State Capitol Building.
“Join us for this exciting event where local, new entrepreneurs will be pitching their business ideas in order to earn start up funding. Plus it’s a chance to see the new downtown business incubator location,” explained WLU Professor Carrie White. The first WLU Pitch Contest was held last spring.
“We want people from the community to join us and vote on these new business ideas. Everyone is welcome,” she said.
Intellectual Capitol is the first downtown Wheeling business incubator and is the result of a partnership between West Liberty University (WLU) and Wheeling Academy of Law and Science (WALS). Intellectual Capitol’s mission is to incubate WLU graduates and mentor them with their business goals, ultimately launching them into self-sustaining local businesses.
Additionally, the incubator assists with technology and office needs, business planning, funding sources, locating clients and general business startup.
The Pitch Contest is geared toward all local entrepreneurs and small business owners. Participants get five minutes to explain their ideas to the audience, which includes potential investors for funding. The audience then bids on their favorite project. The winner takes home the total bid from the audience and a special cash award provided by sponsors. There is no fee to the general public for attending the event.
Sponsors include West Liberty University’s Gary E. West College of Business and Center for Entrepreneurship, the Regional Economic Development Partnership and Vision Shared, Huntington, W.Va.
If you would like to attend or would like to “pitch” your idea, please contact White by Sept. 20 via phone at 304-336-8159 or email at cwhite@westliberty.edu
