winners were The Mad Jammer from Grafton High School in first place with $ 1,500 ; Passing Thai from Monongalia County Technical Education Center in second place with $ 1,000 ; and G + P Vet Services from Fairmont Senior High School with $ 500 .
West Virginia University ( WVU ) Encova Center ’ s IgniteWV competition , the state ’ s largest annual pitch competition awarding over $ 200,000 in non-diluted funds , empowered aspiring founders ages 18 and over to launch successful startups in the state . IgniteWV consisted of two tracks , Main Street and Tech / Innovation , and provided finalists with a four-month program with tailored training , coaching and resources . The first place award of $ 27,300 for the Main Street track went to Battle Buddy Bears LLC . Lora Yeater , founder , says the reason for starting this business is deeply personal .
“ It all started with my son who faced a monumental battle against AML Leukemia ,” she says . “ While the medical care was exceptional , there was one enemy we could not fight with medicine — the profound feeling of isolation that gripped my son with the feeling of loneliness and emotional challenges .”
Yeater is guided by her mission for Battle Buddy Bears : no child battles alone . She is grateful for the mentors , coaches and judges who helped her throughout this competition and says winning is not just a victory but the realization of a dream ignited by love and a passionate desire to make a difference .
“ This victory belongs to everyone who believed in my mission ,” she says . “ It belongs to the heroes in scrubs who fight for our children , the families who know the isolating grip of illness and , most importantly , everyone who saw the potential in Battle Buddy Bears .”
Other winners for IgniteWV ’ s Main Street track were Mal ’ s Fresh Produce , owned by Mallory Moholt , in second place with $ 26,500 ; Curated Wonder LLC , owned by Terran Quinlan , in third place with $ 17,600 ; Fun Fitness Kids Club LLC , owned by Traci and Justin Phillips , in fourth place with $ 12,600 ; Pine Room Studios LLC , presented by Brian Campbell , Jarrett Delbrugge and Jub Delbrugge , in fifth place with $ 11,000 ; and Paw Thaws , owned by Dallas Mullett and Jordan Gehring , in sixth place with $ 5,000 .
IgniteWV ’ s Tech / Innovation track had two awardees , with the first place prize of $ 70,000 going to Moodr Health and the second place prize of $ 30,000 going to Brite . Jackie Lytton , director of marketing and business development for Moodr Health , says that one of the business ’ advisors , Mike Green , encouraged her and her team to enter this competition . Tara St . Clair , director of the Encova Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship , also encouraged her to apply . Lytton is thankful for their support .
“ I ’ m beyond grateful for our support system that has taught me to be confident in myself and my team ,” she says . “ Our win at IgniteWV solidified my belief that Moodr has the ability to help so many people .”
The Hayhurst Invitational was a new statewide pitch competition hosted by WVU ’ s Morris L . Hayhurst LaunchLab . The competition ’ s first place prize of $ 100,000 went to Lost Creek Farms and the second place prize of $ 50,000 went to Mountain Steer Meat Company .
From students to seasoned founders , Bridging Innovation Week 2024 highlighted the power of creativity , resilience and community . Beyond the awards , it inspired and empowered attendees to enact change in the Mountain State . •
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