Opportunities

The LaunchLab is a portal for students, offering guidance and assistance with opportunities through pitch competitions, grant applications, workshops and more.

Entering innovation pitch competitions offers several benefits. The practice helps build your confidence, while receiving valuable feedback from judges. They allow you to network giving you access to areas and people that can propel your idea further. You gain exposure, and it helps refine your idea. W VU LaunchLab hosts several innovation pitch competitions each year giving students the benefits of pitching and the opportunity to earn funding for their idea.
HOW TO workshops give the benefit of learning best practices from industry professionals. It also offers networking opportunities while giving students the edge-up to succeed.
For a limited time, the LaunchLab offers access to a startup seed funding grant for clients.

Grant Opportunities/Other Investment Opportunities/Local Opportunities

VentureWell Student Grant Startup Seed Funding Grant
Collegiate Inventors Competition Alpha Lab Duquesne New Venture Challenge 2020-2021
Dorm Room Fund SBIR-STTR Bootcamp USASBE Entrepreneurship Research IDEA Pitch Competition Baylor New Venture Competition Alpha Lab Gear NSF I-Corps courses The E-Team Grant Program

Upcoming LaunchLab Opportunities

The LaunchLab Web Series

Surprise! Here is the quarantine project we have been working on... Introducing our VIRTUAL LAUNCHLAB series! On our Youtube page we are tackling some of the most important tips and tricks for your idea journey with bite-sized knowledge from experts & professionals in the field.

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LaunchLab Mini Meeting with Anne Jones & Mark Schlies

These mini meetings will go over the upcoming pitch competitions. Want to know what it is all about? Learn how to apply and the secrets of winning. Mini-meeting facilitator, Anne Jones, has coached many winning teams at pitch competitions and she will let you know what the judges look for. While you're learning how to rule the world, you also get to connect with other students and can build a team for your next big idea. Everyone is welcome.

2020 - 2021 Business Plan Competition

The West Virginia Business Plan Competition affords high school and college students around the state the unique opportunity to make a business idea come to life with the support of state institutions of higher education and seasoned business professionals from around the country. We are moving the state forward by engaging young minds to solve West Virginia's greatest issues through entrepreneurship and innovation. Deadline 11/13 @ Noon.

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April Arts Festival and Pitch

The April Arts Festival and Pitch Competition is open to all students in all majors. Participants submissions will be shown off during our 24-hour April Arts Festival from April 20 - 21 where the community and judges alike can watch and vote on their favorite ideas.
Deadline to enter is April 14 at 11:59pm

Once the top videos are selected, finalists will go head to head during the live pitch and Q&A on April 22 for a chance to receive funding towards bringing their vision to life!

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