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SparkWV 2025 - 2026 Competition

Morgantown, WV

Business application deadline
December 5, 2025
Judge sign-up deadline
February 13, 2026
Entry fee
Free
Join this competition

Description

The EdVenture Group, in partnership with the West Virginia Department of Education, is excited to announce the return of SparkWV, an entrepreneurship-inspired competition designed to ignite the creativity of West Virginia’s middle and high school students. Now in its second year, SparkWV offers young innovators the chance to turn their ideas into reality, develop business skills, and compete for prizes. 
 
Students can choose between two competition tracks: 
  • Track 1 “Big Ideas” allows students to propose ideas for a product or invention, such as an app or new technology, even if they don’t yet have the resources to build it.  
  • Track 2 “Small Business” allows students to present a viable small business concept that they could start in their local community, such as a homemade jewelry business or a coffee shop.  
 
Students in both tracks will have the opportunity to win cash prizes for themselves and their classroom.

Why should you participate? 
  • Creative Challenges: Students have the opportunity to create new inventions, innovative solutions, and small businesses that could benefit their local communities and showcase their talents. 
  • Valuable Prizes and Mentorship: The competition offers exciting prizes, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities from industry experts to help students further develop their ideas. 
  • Skill Development: Throughout the competition, students will have access to workshops, coaching, and resources that build their entrepreneurial skills, mindset, and knowledge. 
  • Networking Opportunities: Students will have the chance to connect with like-minded peers, mentors, and industry professionals in the entrepreneurship ecosystem, creating valuable connections for future endeavors.

View the VentureDash Sign-Up Tutorial to help navigate your submission!

Schedule and key dates

Important Dates: 
  • Registration Deadline: Students must register through the VentureDash portal and submit their first-round requirements by December 5th. 
  • Semi-Finalist Notification: Semi-finalists will be notified by December 15th, with round two submissions due by January 31st. 
  • Final Pitch: Finalists will present their ideas live to a panel of judges during Bridging Innovation Week 2026 on April 29th in Morgantown, West Virginia. 

Round 1
Submissions due Friday December 5th, 2025
Semi-finalists notified by Monday December 15th, 2025
 
Round 2
Submissions due Saturday January 31st, 2026 
Finalists notified by Friday February 20th, 2026
 
Round 3
Sign up for coaching session + attend public speaking workshop by Friday April 10th, 2026
Final deck submissions due Wednesday April 22nd, 2026
Competition Wednesday April 29th, 2026

Organized by

The EdVenture Group

Date & time

Address and location


Morgantown, WV

Components

Round 1: Business Basics

Welcome to the first round of the SparkWV Pitch Competition! This is your chance...

Weight: 100%
Edit Round 1: Business Basics