BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia Hive leadership has shared details pertaining to the winning presenters of the 2024 Pitch Southern West Virginia Business Idea Competition, which showcased entrepreneurs from throughout the region.
The event took place on Thursday, November 14, 2024, and featured area residents pitching their innovative business strategies for a chance to claim over $5,000 in prize winnings to be put toward their business ventures.
Selected winners of the event were announced by event coordinator Diana Woods after being chosen by a panel of judges featuring USDA Rural Development State Director, Ryan Thorn, United Bank Branch Manager, Chris Herold, and Vice President of Academic Affairs for WVU Tech, Dr. Tamara Floyd-Smith.
Derek Miller claimed the first-place prize of $2,500 with Monroe County’s Waymaker’s Meadows pitch, while Keatley Michael took home the $1,000 second-place prize for Raleigh County’s ParTee Rentals.
$500 awards were granted to those selected for Honorable Mention. These include Jeff Webb for Trails Edge Coffee and Boba of Raleigh County, Liz Reynolds for Appalachian Traditions of Fayette County, and Alexander Durand with Mountain Table of Greenbrier County.
Additionally, Mountain Table secured the “Audience Favorite” award, netting an additional $250 in prize winnings.
“Knowing that early-stage funding is one of the toughest challenges for entrepreneurs, those of us at the West Virginia Hive are honored to host this opportunity to facilitate fresh ideas to grow businesses and create exciting new opportunities for Southern West Virginia,” said Woods of the 2024 Pitch Southern West Virginia Business Idea Competition.
Award funding came as part of contributions from several private sponsors including gold sponsors New River Gorge Regional Development Authority and United Bank, as well as bronze sponsors First Community Bank and the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce.
“We deeply appreciate our sponsors and judges who see the value in supporting local entrepreneurs,” said WV Hive Executive Director and NRGRDA Deputy Director, Judy Moore. “Each pitch competition we hold identifies several new business rock stars, and the prize winnings and follow up support helps them to take the next big step in their entrepreneurial journey.”
