The 2019 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.

Sponsored by the Dr. Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center, the Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic, and the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, the Seventh 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 17 at WCU. Business experts, Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic Angel Investors, and members of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce 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, Alumni, Faculty, and Staff
• Chester County-Based Startups
• Chester County High School Students

This year, students from Beijing Union University will be visiting WCU in April and participating in the Business Idea Pitch on April 17.

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.

Submissions are due by Monday (February 25th). Click here to submit an entry.

Prizes include:

• Grand Prize: $2,500
• First Place Prize in Each Track: $1,000
• Second Place Prize in Each Track: $500

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