Welcome to the 12th Annual 2024 WCU Business Idea Challenge!

About The Competition

The Annual West Chester University Business Idea Competition is hosted by the Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center, the Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic and The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce. The Annual WCU Business Idea Challenge promotes creativity, idea generation, and entrepreneurship by recognizing innovative ideas for new products, services, and technology.

The Process

IDEA SUBMISSION

February 27th, 2024 at 11:59PM

globe.png

Online submissions are due. All ideas are reviewed by business angels, entrepreneurs, and business advisors.

Round 2

March 28th, 2024

present.png

The top four ideas idea submit a two minutes video pitch and will evaluated by a panel of judges.

the

Business Idea Pitch

April 17th, 2024

podium.png

The top two ideas in each track are selected for the Business Idea Pitch to present to an esteemed panel of judges.

The Tracks

HIGHSCHOOL

  • Student attending a high school located in Chester County, PA

Undergraduate

  • Undergraduate students of West Chester University

  • Currently enrolled part-time or full-time

WCU Graduate students, alumni, faculty and staff

  • WCU Graduate students

  • WCU Alumni

  • WCU Faculty members

  • WCU Staff

Startups

  • Chester County, PA Resident

What Types of Ideas are Eligible for the Competition?

  • Ideas which have not yet been commercialized and which can be used as the foundation of a new business are eligible.

  • You are eligible to compete if you are a…

    • West Chester University undergraduate students, graduate students, alumni, faculty, and staff

    • Chester County based startup or high school student

  • Teams of one to four members

  • Participants may submit multiple ideas 

Confidentiality

  • Ideas submitted to the competition remain the property of the submitter

  • Ideas submitted will be held in strict confidence.

  • Ideas selected for presentation at the Business Idea Pitch, however, will be presented to the public.  

  

Prizes

1st-01.png

Grand Prize — $2500

First Place Competition Winner

2nd-01.png

First Prize — $1000

First Place Prize in Each Track

3rd-01.png

Second Prize — $500

Second Place Prize in Each Track

 

Helpful Hints

  • While some great ideas are based on radical inventions, others are the extension, duplication, or synthesis of existing products, services, or technologies. Some great ideas are simplistic in their nature and/or design.

  • In describing your target market you inform the reader that you are familiar with your target market and that there is a market for your product, service or technology. Specific facts and figures  are  helpful  and  provide  evidence  that  you  are  knowledgeable about your target market.

  • Write clearly and succinctly.

  • Check your grammar and spelling. If the judges cannot understand your entry it will not be selected

Questions

Email the Cottrell Center team at cottrellcenter@wcupa.edu or call us at +1 (610) 436-2014 with your questions