The 2017 Business Idea Competition at West Chester University is now open, and all ideas are welcome.

Let your big idea become a business reality by winning this competition and jumpstarting your business.

Co-hosted by the Dr. Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center and the Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic, the Fifth Annual WCU Business Idea Competition promotes creativity and idea generation by recognizing innovative ideas for new products, services, and technology.

The goals of the competition are to foster idea generation and to facilitate commercialization of business ideas.

Ideas will be reviewed by business angels and business advisors. The top ideas will be selected for the Business Idea Pitch event on April 19 at WCU. Business experts and Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic Angel Investors will judge the Idea Pitch.

Winners will be announced, and awards will be presented at the conclusion of the Idea Pitch.

Ideas that have not yet been commercialized and can be used as the foundation for a new business are eligible.

There are four tracks in this competition:

• WCU Undergraduates
• WCU Graduate Students and Alumni
• West Chester Area School District High School Students
• Professionals: Members of Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, Clients of SCORE of Chester & Delaware County, and WCU faculty

You will be asked to explain your idea for a product, service, or technology that can be used as the foundation for a new business, focusing on description, uniqueness, and target market.

Applications must be submitted by March 2, and entries are due by midnight on March 6.

Click here to submit an entry.

Prizes include:

• Grand Prize: $3,000
• First Place Prize: $1,000 in the undergraduate, graduate, and professional track.
• Second Place Prize: $500 in the undergraduate, graduate, and professional track.
• First Place WCASD Student: $500
• Second Place WCASD Student: $250

For more information, e-mail cottrellcenter@wcupa.edu.