Entrepreneurs, innovators, startups, and small business owners are encouraged to apply by July 31 for the 2026 Tucker County Business Pitch Contest, an opportunity to compete for funding to help grow a business or bring a new idea to life.
Selected finalists will present their ideas on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 5 p.m. at the National Youth Science Academy, located at 494 Riverstone Road, Davis, WV 26260. The final competition is open to the public. There is no cost to apply.
To be eligible, applicants must be registered with the State of West Virginia and either have an established business, maintain a physical presence in Tucker County, or be developing a new business idea that will operate in Tucker County. Startups, including those that are less than one year old and pre-revenue, and individuals with business ideas are encouraged to apply. Nonprofit organizations are not eligible.
Because presentation space is limited, not all applicants will be selected to compete. Applications will be reviewed, and only finalists will be invited to present at the live competition.
Finalists will each have five minutes to present their business or idea, followed by a five-minute question-and-answer session with judges. Organizers are working to increase this year’s prize pool to $15,000, which would allow the competition to feature two tracks: a Startup Track for businesses less than one year old, including pre-revenue startups, and a Growth Track for established businesses. If the $15,000 prize pool goal is reached, each track will award a $5,000 first-place prize, a $2,000 second-place prize, and a $500 third-place prize.
The Tucker County Business Pitch Contest is made possible through the generous support of St. George Medical Clinic, Prodigi, Blackwater Ridge, Tucker Community Foundation, Tucker County Development Authority, Woodlands Development & Lending, Tucker County Chamber of Commerce, and The Berry Best Catering 304. Additional support is provided by the National Youth Science Academy, Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College, and Piton Strategies.
Businesses interested in sponsoring the event and helping grow this year’s prize pool are encouraged to contact the Tucker County Development Authority.
Applications close July 31 at 11:59 p.m. Apply online at https://tuckerwv.com/projects/pitch-contest/
For questions about the contest, contact the Tucker County Development Authority at tuckercounty@gmail.com or 304-614-8839.