2025 IgniteWV Finalists

We are proud to announce the finalists for the competition! The top five scoring businesses from each track were selected by judges to move forward with their ideas and compete in the final round of competition held on April 30, 2025, during Bridging Innovation Week, at the Frank Center Theater, Shepherd University.

Best Dam Tape

Logan Cuvo, Founder

Best Dam Tape is a company specializing in high-performance hockey tape designed to meet the rigorous demands of the sport. Their product line includes clear and cloth hockey tapes engineered for superior stretch, adhesive strength, and durability, ensuring equipment stays securely in place during intense gameplay. They also offer a subscription service, allowing players to receive regular shipments of their preferred tape products, ensuring they are always prepared for the game.

Hill & Holler Herbal Company

Caroline Nicholas, Founder

Hill & Holler Herbal Company crafts small-batch herbal goods rooted in Appalachian tradition—blended, foraged, and sourced with care.

Each product is a connection to nature, a nod to heritage, and a remedy for everyday wellness.

For sipping slow and soothing. For embracing time-honored healing. For caring for your body, your roots, and the land. And whatever else we may grow and gather.

Nikola Lighting LLC

Luke McConnell, Founder

Nicola Lighting designs custom, energy-efficient lighting solutions that transform homes, businesses, and public spaces.

Each project enhances beauty, safety, and innovation—whether through landscape lighting, holiday displays, or cutting-edge LED film technology.

For illuminating outdoor spaces, creating immersive displays, turning glass into digital storytelling, and redefining what lighting can do.

The Dog Watchers

Leonard Hancock, Founder

The Dog Watchers is a premium dog boarding and daycare facility located in Fairmont, West Virginia, designed to provide high-quality care and innovative services for dogs and their owners. Our mission is to create a joyful, nurturing environment where dogs are safe, loved, and connected to their owners through state-of-the-art live video streaming technology. By combining exceptional care with cutting- edge solutions, The Dog Watchers aims to redefine pet care standards while offering peace of mind to busy, tech-savvy pet owners.

The Next Ridge

Rush Holt & Julia Holt, Founders

The Next Ridge is a small, family-owned mobile veterinary practice that opened in September 2023, serving the greater north central West Virginia area.

They specialize in providing high quality, end of life care to pets in their home environment.

(Alternate) Two Bucks Taxidermy LLC

Garret Simon, Founder

Two Bucks Taxidermy, located in Spencer, WV, specializes in European skull mounts, shoulder mounts, and other taxidermy services. With over three years of operational experience, our business has built a reputation for high-quality craftsmanship and exceptional customer service.

Battle Buddy Bears LLC

Lora Yeater, Founder

Battle Buddy Bears creates AI-powered, interactive teddy bears designed to provide emotional support and therapeutic connection for children.

Each bear is a companion, a listener, and a bridge to healing—helping kids express emotions, process trauma, and feel understood.

For comforting the anxious. For giving children a voice. For transforming therapy into something warm and familiar. For bringing hope and healing. And whatever else we may dream up.

GLOBOL

Jack Feuer & Ian Blossman, Founders

GLOBOL is a social travel app designed to connect travelers with one another based on their travel plans, location, and shared interests. It is built around a community-driven model that allows users to create and share trip plans, connect with other travelers in real-time through group chats, and interact with local businesses.

The app also enables businesses, like hostels and tour companies, to directly engage with potential customers by using traveler data such as upcoming trips, travel style, and preferences. This feasibility study evaluates the technical, financial, and market viability of GLOBOL and assesses its potential for growth in the competitive travel app market.

• Instagram
• Facebook

Plug-In Promotions

Seth McLain & Connor Briggs, Founders

Plug-In Promotions installs charging stations with digital ad screens, keeping customers connected while helping businesses reach their audience. Each station provides a vital service—charging phones, engaging customers, and delivering targeted advertising where it matters most.

Plug-In Promotions achieved an impressive 372% year-over-year growth in its first year, demonstrating the scalability and demand for its advertising platform. In just 6 months, the company expanded to 36 venues across 4 cities, serving ads for 40+ local businesses in 2024 and generating over $60,000 in its first year. This strong growth trajectory underscores Plug-In Promotions’ ability to scale efficiently, with plans for nationwide expansion driven by data-backed market strategies.

Stud-IA

Carlos Dodero, Juan Marino, Ivan Wong, Founders

Studia is an AI-powered online learning platform designed to help students organize and optimize their studies.

Each tool helps students create personalized study resources, manage their time effectively, and get guidance from an AI tutor—making learning more efficient and less stressful.

For studying smarter, not harder.

Toor Equestrian LLC

Eva Toor, Founder

Eva Toor is an innovative startup company based in West Virginia, dedicated to revolutionizing safety head equipment and clothing for horse competitions. Founded by Eva Toor, an accomplished equestrian with 16 years of industry experience, the company aims to address the critical gap between safety and tradition in equestrian sports. Our flagship product, the Slim Safe, is a patent-pending ultra-thin riding helmet designed to fit discreetly under traditional hats, allowing riders to prioritize both style and safety.

(Alternate) JarHead Farm

Gretchen “Natasha” Zoe-Willshire, Founder

JarHead Farms is a veteran-owned social enterprise dedicated to making small-scale farming in West Virginia sustainable.

Each effort supports local farmers, creating value-added products that can be sold across state lines, boosting the local economy and ensuring year-round viability.