Track 1
Main Street
The Main Street track is for traditional, community-anchored businesses that primarily serve a local or regional market. These ventures often rely on direct customer relationships, hands-on services, and local presence rather than large-scale growth.
If your business delivers products or services mainly within a defined geographic area, it belongs in the Main Street track.
Examples include:
- • Brick-and-mortar businesses
- • Mobile or on-site service providers
- • Home-based or event-based businesses
- • Community-focused service businesses
Track 2
Tech and Innovation
The Tech and Innovation track is for technology-driven and innovation-led ventures with the potential to scale beyond a single community or region. These businesses are built around new technology, proprietary solutions, or systems designed for growth.
If your idea includes intellectual property, proprietary technology, or a patentable invention, it should be entered in the Tech and Innovation track.
Examples include:
- • New inventions or commercialized technology
- • Software, mobile applications, AI, and digital platforms
- • Patented or patent-pending products
- • Scalable sustainability or social-impact technologies
If you have questions about which track is the best fit, email info@igniteWV.com
Entry Guidelines:
While participants are limited to entering only one business or business idea per track, they are permitted to submit different businesses or business ideas into each track. A business may enter round one with the same idea a maximum of two times.
Rules of Eligibility:
Open to those 18+ interested in registering a business in West Virginia.
Business Registration: Finalist businesses must be registered through the WV Secretary of State’s office and be compliant with the laws in the state of West Virginia. There are no restrictions on the geographic location(s) where the business operations shall occur.
Round One:
Create a Team
Assign a team leader, who will submit the team idea via VentureDash. Teams are allowed to add or remove team members throughout the competition. Building a team with diverse skill sets is recommended. Each team leader may submit only one entry per year. This person will serve as the main point of contact for the team. The team leader may be on additional teams but can only serve as the team leader for one team per year.
Required
The team lead is responsible for submitting a 90-second (maximum) YouTube video to pitch their business idea via VentureDash.
Teams must address all of the following components in the 90-second (maximum) pitch video:
- Business Idea: What is your business idea? Please provide us with a description of the idea (product, service, or invention).
- Value Proposition: What problem/opportunity do you see? Why is it a problem? What is your solution to the problem?
- Customer: Who is your ideal customer?
- Ask: Teams need to clearly articulate an ask. It does not have to be a number, but specify what the team needs to start or grow their business.
Must be a public Youtube Video
- If you have proprietary information, you may submit supplemental documents that will not be public, but kept internally between the competition staff and judges. Judges will sign a nondisclosure agreement.
Videos over 90-seconds will be disqualified from entry.
Optional:
- Supplemental materials (feasibility study, business plan, business model canvas, etc.) may be attached as additional documentation in round one with the video.
- All supplemental materials must be submitted as PDF.
- We will NOT accept any documents shared in cloud space (Google-Drive, One-Drive, etc.) as it makes it difficult for the judges to gain access should the file be restricted and need further access permissions.
Scoring
- Each submission will be reviewed by a panel of judges comprised of various business professionals. Entries will be scored on a standard rubric.
- Only the 90-second (maximum) video will be scored in accordance with the provided rubric.
- Supplemental materials are highly recommended as they can provide additional background and information to the judges
- Judges will select the top 5 teams from each track to move to the final round of competition. An announcement will be made by February 16th, 2026.
If your team is selected to move to the final round, you will be required to participate in the following programs and events prior to the in-person final round of competition:
**Exceptions may apply based on prior completion of the I-Corps program.
Coaching
- All ten (10) finalist teams will receive coaching provided by IgniteWV
- All teams will be required to meet and work with your coach on your Final Presentation
- You may have additional coaches, advisors, and mentors
I-Corps
The National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (NSF I-Corps) program is a virtual, part-time course that will help teach participants the importance of customer discovery and building out a value proposition. Over the four-week program, participants will connect to customers and refine their business model canvas. This program is required for IgniteWV finalists unless a finalist has already completed a WV regional course. The application can be found here. The course will run in March 2nd-30th, 2026. Course times will be determined once all applicants are enrolled.
Those who successfully complete the course will have access to up to $3,000 in travel funds to attend conferences, trade shows, or travel to meet with potential customers.
For any questions regarding the program, reach out to:
studentandfacultyinnovation@mail.wvu.edu
Round Two:
- Semifinalists will be announced on February 3, 2026 and invited to participate in a structured 5-minute virtual interview with the judging panel on February 16, 2026.
- During this interview, judges will evaluate each team’s clarity of the concept and value proposition, understanding of the target customer and problem, market and operational feasibility, team preparedness, and potential to benefit from coaching and I-Corps support.
- Following the interviews, five finalists per track will be announced on February 17, 2026 and advance to the Final Round.
Round Three:
Required:
- Live in-person Final Presentation + Q&A
Optional:
- Submit Business plan, TAM, and/or SAM, feasibility study, business model canvas, etc.
- Submit online via VentureDash if applicable
Final Competition:
- Practice presentations are required
- Presentation followed by Q&A
- A minimum of one (1) team member is required to speak during this presentation
- Final presentations are open to the public, business plans are not
- All finalists receive $1,000 travel stipend
Awards/Investment
- Award amounts are contingent upon annual fundraising and the availability of program funds.
- IgniteWV will not take equity in participating businesses in exchange for technical assistance funds
- Although IgniteWV will not facilitate private deals with outside entities, finalists will have exposure to outside investment opportunities in the final round
- Businesses awarded technical assistance funds through IgniteWV will have one year (365 days) from the award date to submit appropriate documentation to receive the full amount of funds.
CALENDAR
RESOURCES
Use these helpful resources to help prepare a competitive business plan that will ignite your future success.