Entrepreneurs win $7000 in prize money

Emily Edmonds

Emily Edmonds of Sylva, left, accepts a check for $1,000 from Ed Wright of Western Carolina University after winning second place in the “Bright Ideas Rocket Pitch” competition as part of the inaugural LEAD:Innovation conference at WCU.

Posted: Wednesday, May 6, 2015 2:00 pm

Entrepreneurs win $7,000 in prize money

Entrepreneurs and owners of existing small businesses from Sylva, Asheville and Hickory shared $7,000 in prize money to help launch or grow their companies during the inaugural LEAD:Innovation conference April 22 at Western Carolina University.

Billed as kinder, gentler versions of the hit TV show “Shark Tank,” competitions included the “Bright Ideas Rocket Pitches” event, a series of fast-paced proposals from entrepreneurs and inventors aimed at potential investors, and the “Promising Business Acceleration” contest, in which owners of promising existing businesses make proposals for additional capital to accelerate growth.

Second place and $1,000 went to Emily Edmonds of Sylva for her concept for WNC Brewhub, a proposal to establish a shared beer production and distribution facility for breweries across the region.

Other winners included Paul Hedgecock of Asheville, who won first prize of $2,500 in the “Bright Ideas Rocket Pitch” competition for his pitch for Ugo Tour, a travel and tourism smartphone app for Western North Carolina points of interest.

Subscription Required

An online service is needed to view this article in its entirety.

You need an online service to view this article in its entirety.

Have an online subscription?

Posted in
News,
Higher-ed news

on

Wednesday, May 6, 2015 2:00 pm.