CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A popular entrepreneurship pitch contest that is hosted annually in Harrison County is ready to expand on the number of eligible applicants for 2025.
Title sponsor and committee chair of the 3rd Annual TANK Entrepreneur Pitch Contest Adam Rowh announced that applications will be accepted from any small business entrepreneurs in North Central West Virginia who have been in business for two years or less. Those who apply will have a chance to win a grand prize of $10,000 in cash as well as a chance to receive $40,000 in economic advisement from some of the largest businesses in the North Central West Virginia Region.
“This year, for the first time, we’re going to have it in North Central West Virginia, so anybody in the region is welcome to not only come to the event but also to come compete in the event.”
The 3rd Annual TANK Entrepreneur Pitch Contest is part of a partnership with the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce, with title sponsor for the event Northwestern Mutual, along with corporate sponsors BHE GT&S, WesBanco, and Salem University.
According to Rowh, anyone who wishes to sign up would simply need to go to the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce website, where the application will be available for any small business entrepreneur that wants to participate. Once they fill out information regarding what their business is, how much has been invested into it, and efforts to raise capital, a panel of committee judges from the sponsors of the event will determine which five applicants will be presented for the contest. The five that are selected will then get a chance to be mentored ahead of the November contest so they can be showcased in the best way possible.
“It gives our selection committee time to pick the five contestants that we’re going to choose to allow to come in and compete,” said Rowh. “Then it gives them time to work with our mentors and coaches to record the pitch videos and gives us that runway of really getting prepared.”
The five accepted applicants will be presented in front of a live audience at the Robinson Grand Theatre in Clarksburg on Wednesday, November 12. In a format much like that seen on the popular TV show ‘Shark Tank,’ the contestants will present a pitch video that was made with the help of the mentors in the months ahead of the contest, as well as a formal presentation that will be judged by representatives from the North Central West Virginia business community. Unlike the show, Rowh emphasized that there will not be a period where presenters will be harshly criticized; the presentations will be openly discussed by the judges, and then they will be offered ways to improve the product or the pitch.
“Judges really are focused on encouraging you and helping you and asking you good questions for your business,” said Rowh. “Not trying to ridicule you and get a soundbite; for us, it’s really about helping you get a chance to get your idea out there.”
Applications will be accepted until July 31, with the only limitations being the size of the business, the age of the business being no more than two years old, and the business being based in any North Central West Virginia county. This not only includes Harrison County but also Monongalia, Marion, Preston, and Taylor counties that are accepted as part of the expansion in eligibility. With the application period open for the next two months, Rowh encourages any local entrepreneur to consider signing up.
“There are so many professional services that our community has really leaned in and offered to donate,” said Rowh. “To really give and come around these people and help them go from where they are to where they are trying to go.”