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Everyone Sees Success at the Annual Veterans Pitch Competition

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Veterans Pitch Competition Winners gather together for a group photo at Evansdale Crossing.

Veterans Pitch Competition Winners gather together for a group photo at Evansdale Crossing

The Morris L. Hayhurst LaunchLab is back this fall semester with a bang! Thursday October 3rd began the first of many pitch competitions this year with the annual Veterans Pitch Competition, sponsored by Huntington Bank.

Spectators gathered in anticipation inside the LaunchLab to watch six competitors and four judges as they participated in the 2024 Veterans Pitch Competition. This competition is targeted towards veterans and military families to provide funding for veteran-owned small businesses.

$17,000 in awards was given away during the event.

The group of judges included: Vice President and Community Lending Relationship Manager for Huntington Bank, Gina Bangura; WVU Alumnus and Hayhurst Family Member, Jim Davis; Associate Vice-President and Dean of the Division for Land-Grant Engagement West Virginia University, Jorge H. Atiles; Owner and CEO of Tapaulk Communications LLC, Tony Paulk.

The diverse group of contestants included: Natasha Zoe and Stan Loder of Jarhead Farms; Shawn Cosner of Adventures of Lucky; Derek Silski of Cheat Fork Media; Toby Heaney and Chris Rollins of Christopher A. Rollins; Alex (Heinz) Pieken of Safe Harbor Alliance; Kenneth Brannan of Gymhub.

Thank you to everyone who showed up to spectate and participate!

Special thank you to Huntington National Bank for sponsoring the pitch competition. As well as First Impressions Marketing and Wilson Martino Dental for their donation of a $5,000 marketing package.

Applications are now open for our next competition, the Zinnstarter Pitch Competition. Head over to our  Competitions page to apply!

Winners and award amounts:

PANEL-DESIGNATED AWARDS

Natasha Zoe and Stan Loder JarHead Farms - $5,000

Derek Silski Cheat Fork Media - $2,500

Toby Heaney and Chris Rollins  Christopher A. Rollins - $1,500 

Alex (Heniz) Pieken Safe Harbor Alliance – $1,000

Kenneth Brannan Gymhub - $1,000

Shawn Cosner Adventures of Lucky - $1,000 and $5,000 Marketing Package

POPULAR VOTE

Natasha Zoe and Stan Loder JarHead Farms  - $500

Natasha Zoe Pitching

Natasha Zoe of JarHead Farms giving her pitch that won her both the judges vote and popular vote.