Virtual Business Idea Pitch Coming on April 14
Anyone who wants to start a business should watch budding entrepreneurs pitch their
ideas in the annual Business Idea Competition hosted by West Chester University’s
Dr. Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center. These finalists will compete virtually on Wednesday, April 14, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
in a live event before a panel of judges that consists of business angel investors,
entrepreneurs, and business advisors. See what makes a winning business proposal by registering and attending the free online
event.
Sponsored by the Cottrell Center, the Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic, and the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, the WCU Business Idea Competition promotes creativity and idea generation by recognizing innovative ideas for new products, services, and technology.
Now in its ninth year, this competition draws entries in four categories: WCU undergraduates; WCU graduate students, faculty/staff, and alumni; Chester County high school students; and Chester County startups. The top six ideas from each track submitted a two-minute video in a virtual fast pitch competition on March 25. This year’s panel of judges selected the following to advance to the finals:
WCU Undergraduate Track
Jake Henry: LECTRA, combines kinesiology tape with electric muscle stimulation
Nate Gittleman: Fog Frogs, an attachment for eyeglasses to prevent fogging, particularly helpful when wearing a mask
WCU Graduate, Alumni, Faculty & Staff
Talonda Rogers and Gina Torrie: LISTEN App provides healthcare and coaching to women during pregnancy
Robert Lowrie: Smart Route, an application for sales people to help them map their route and keep accurate notes
Chester County High School Students
Arparna Vagvala, Downingtown STEM High School: Healthy Habits – The Ruko Ring, a Smart Ring worn on a finger to alert the wearer when you are touching your face.
Kathryn Palmer and Jake Coombe, West Chester East High School: Safe Away, an insulated locked box to protect packages that are delivered to your home
Chester County Startups
Gene Williams: Athletes Untapped, a web service that matches young athletes with private coaches
John Scott: MDSB Innovations, a multi-dimensional sports bet application
The presenting sponsor for this year’s Business Idea Competition is Meridian Bank. Univest Financial is the gold sponsor.
Pattie Diggin, director of the Cottrell Center, reported that all the ideas submitted this year were promising. Her message to those not making it to the finals: “I encourage you to continue to work on your business idea and to connect with the Cottrell Center for potential support that we might provide.”
Diggin also noted that the Cottrell Center will launch its first Social Innovation Competition this fall. Qualifying business ideas will demonstrate some benefit for social or environmental issues. She said the Cottrell Center team has been gauging the growth of this entrepreneurial field in recent years. “This past year has put a focus on it. We have seen … acceleration due to COVID.”
The Dr. Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center fosters entrepreneurship across West Chester University and throughout Chester County by preparing students to contribute to the entrepreneurship ecosystem, providing access to a rich network of entrepreneurship resources and enhancing the startup and growth of new ventures to develop a strong WCU entrepreneurship culture and a vibrant Chester County entrepreneurship ecosystem.
State System Startup Challenge
In addition, Diggin noted, WCU students have done well in this year’s Startup Challenge hosted by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. She will moderate the virtual competition on Wednesday, April 21, at 7 p.m.
Two WCU students have advanced to the final round: Connor Wagner with The D.A.R.T., a product to help with defensive lineman drills in football; and Emma Wagner with Wear To Go, a clothing service that provides information on what to where when traveling.
Plus, three student teams have advanced to the semi-final round:
Grace McDonough and Dylan Martin: Rent U, a web-based application to support off-campus housing for West Chester University students;
Emma Wagner: Ever Décor, a rental service for home accessories and seasonal decorations; and
Matthew Zwilgmeyer: Auto Saddle, a DYI car roof rack.
The Cottrell Center and West Chester University are sponsoring the PASSHE State System Startup Challenge this year and the University is sponsoring the fourth place prize of $1,500.
Click here for more information and the Zoom link.