WCU Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center Seeks Big Ideas for 2023 Business Idea Competition 

The 2023 Annual Business Idea Competition at West Chester University is now open, and all ideas are welcome. $11,500 in prize money is being awarded at this year’s competition. Let your big idea become a reality by winning this competition and jumpstarting your business. 

Co-Hosted by the Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center, the Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic and The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, the 11th Annual WCU Business Idea Competition promotes creativity and idea generation by recognizing innovative ideas for new products, services, and technology. 

Once again, the Presenting Sponsor of the competition is Meridian Bank. WCU Business Idea Competition partners include SCORE of Chester & Delaware County and i2n, an initiative of Chester County Economic Development Council. 

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 move on to the Round 2 Fast Pitch video submission and the top two submissions in each track will move on to final round pitch competition. 

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 

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 on Feb. 28. 

Click here to submit an entry. 

Prizes include: 

• Grand Prize: $2,500 
• First Place Prize in each track: $1,500 
• Second Place Prize in each track: $750 

For more information, e-mail cottrellcenter@wcupa.edu or visit wcubizidea.com.

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