Waynesburg University’s Entrepreneurial Hub for Innovative Ventures and Endeavors (eHIVE) recently held the “See It, Solve It” Pitch Competition. Winners included Daniel Kephart, Paul Berg and Tyler Turbett.
“The competition gives students real-world experience in creative problem solving for developing creative solutions to problems that are important to them,” said Dr. Melinda Walls, chair of the W. Robert Stover Entrepreneurial Leadership Program and assistant professor of business administration.
Seventeen entries were submitted for the preliminary round. Students developed problem, solution pitches of 90 seconds or less and delivered them live, in person to a judges panel that consisted of Cassy Dorsch, program coordinator for the Entrepreneurial Leadership Program; Ryan Smith, assistant director of student activities; and Walls.
Of the 17 entries, seven were selected as finalists, but only five were able to participate in the final round of the competition, according to Dorsch. The finalists included Berg, a senior entrepreneurship major; Reagan Haughton, a senior nursing major; Kephart, a senior English (literature) major; Samantha Morad, a junior arts administration (theatre) major; and Turbett, a senior mathematics major.
Finalists were required to develop a three to four minute pitch that expanded on their preliminary pitch. They also participated in a three minute question and answer session with the finalist judges. Prior to their final pitch, each finalist had a consultation meeting with the eHIVE.
Judges for the final round included Andrea McCardle, an attorney with Bowles Rice, LLC in Morgantown, West Virginia; Steve Stuck, president of Stuck Industries; and Chuck Trump, CEO and secretary of First Federal Savings and Loan of Greene County.
First Place: Daniel Kephart, "Chapter of the Day"
Kephart won first place and a $300 prize for his pitch, “Chapter of the Day.” Chapter of the Day is a blog focused on reaching those with depression and some of the 40 million Americans that struggle with anxiety. Consisting of all millennial writers, the site promotes living consciously and is focused on connecting millennials to topics they are passionate about. Additionally, the articles can be read in five minutes or less. Visit chapteroftheday.com.
Second Place: Paul Berg, "Green Machine"
Berg won second place and a $200 prize for his pitch, “Green Machine.” In 2018, EQT donated an ice cream truck to the Corner Cupboard Food Bank; however, the ice cream truck is currently unused. Berg proposed that the ice cream truck be turned into a mobile food donation system called the Green Machine. The Green Machine would travel various routes throughout the county to pick up food donations from community members and promote community engagement.
Third Place: Tyler Turbett, "Church Ride-Sharing"
Turbett won third place and a $100 prize for his pitch, “Church Ride-Sharing.” As Campus Ministry assistant, Tyler has worked with several Waynesburg students, especially freshmen, who face transportation issues attending local churches. He proposed a church ride-sharing program through myConnect and worked with University Assistant Chaplain Josh Sumpter to implement the changes. The new church ride-sharing program can be found on the Faith tab of MyConnect.
Entrepreneurial Leadership Program
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