Thrive Entrepreneur Application 2017
Event Sponsors
Date and Time
Tuesday Oct 3, 2017 Tuesday Nov 14, 2017
- Thrive applications are due by 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12
- Finalists will be announced Nov. 9
- Finalist attend business coaching Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the University of Charleston Russell and Martha Wehrle Innovation Center
- Thrive: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, with doors opening for Entrepreneur Meet & Greet at 5 p.m.
Location
University of Charleston Russell and Martha Wehrle Innovation Center
2300 MacCorkle Ave. SE, Charleston, WV 25304
Fees/Admission
There is no fee to apply. You do not have to be a Charleston Area Alliance member to apply.
Contact Information
Chris Ferro, Vice President of Economic Development
Send Email
Description
Thrive is a community-based approach to supporting local entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs take the stage to present their crowdfunding pitch campaign, competing against one another for community members' votes.
Entrepreneurs find ambassadors who can spread their brand's message and the top vote-getting entrepreneur takes home a cash prize to scale up their operation.
Click 'Register Now' above to apply. Choose the 'Click here to continue your event registration' link under the 'Not a member?' heading to proceed to application.
How does it work?
Whether you have a fantastic idea, are looking to expand or are a startup already operating ? if you have a business or product that could use financial support, then apply to participate in Thrive.
- Entrepreneur applicants must register online by 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12. Must be 18 by Dec. 5 to apply.
- Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of judges who will select finalists to be featured at Thrive.
- Leading up to the event, finalists meet with University of Charleston Innovation Center business coaches to get tips and suggestions for their respective business plan presentations.
- Finalists pitch business plan to promote their idea and outline need for capital investment at Thrive.
- Top vote-getting entrepreneur will take home cash prize to scale-up operations.
- Community members pay a $25 entry fee to attend Thrive, which gives them the opportunity to vote for an entrepreneur to support for capital investment.
- Community member attendance fees are combined with seed capital from event sponsors for the top vote-getter's capital investment.
