UVA Wise Hosts Successful Entrepreneurship Concept Cup Competition
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise continues to take strides in fostering entrepreneurship, recently hosting the sixth annual Entrepreneurship Concept Cup competition, also known as the E-Cup. Twelve students from the largest group of competitors to date showcased their innovative business concepts, vying for a share of $5,000 in prizes.
This year’s judging panel featured prominent figures in the local business community, including Zach Sturgill from LazaMods, LLC, Melissa Fowler from Walmart Supercenter in Norton, Melissa Coffey from First Bank and Trust, and Tabitha Hibbits-Greiger from Appalachian Rising Ventures. Their expertise provided invaluable insight into the entrepreneurial process and the potential impact of the students' ideas.
Each concept was evaluated on five criteria: the need, the idea, the competition, the market, and the evidence. Additionally, students were assessed on their delivery, including eye contact, pace, and clear, confident communication.
"We are proud of our students and excited to watch their entrepreneurial stories unfold. Our goal is to empower them with the tools and support they need to succeed," said Shankar Naskar, assistant professor of entrepreneurship and innovation at UVA Wise.
UVA Wise has a long-standing commitment to supporting entrepreneurship, employing a multi-faceted approach that includes dedicated courses, programming for both students and the surrounding communities, and a collaborative space known as The Nest.
In 2018, an on-campus Entrepreneurship Manager was hired, along with dedicated faculty to support entrepreneurship. The Nest, a hub for innovation and collaboration, opened its doors that same year. Then, in 2019, the College launched an entrepreneurship minor.
This year’s competition highlighted the success of UVA Wise's curriculum, with all five winners emerging from various entrepreneurship classes offered this fall, including Foundations of Entrepreneurship, Napoleon Hill’s Keys to Success, entrepreneurial Creativity and Innovation, and Foundations of Business.
Other student entrepreneurial initiatives include Concept Competition workshops, along with events like the annual Side Hustle Market and guest speakers aimed at generating interest in entrepreneurship and small business among students.
In addition to student programs, UVA Wise partners with various small business support and community development organizations to make up Opportunity Southwest Virginia, a regional network established to support new and established ventures. The College also leads a regional business accelerator, Hatch, which hosts CO.STARTERS Core, a three-month, cohort-based program that equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to help their endeavors thrive.
"It is inspiring to know that we have students on campus dissecting real problems in the world, conceptualizing solutions and having the chance to compete for awards to seed these very ideas. This is important foundational work, and I’m hopeful we can inspire even more of it to take place around Southwest Virginia,” said Blake Salyer, Ecosystem & Innovation Manager.
“With the right mindset and support anyone can leverage the power of entrepreneurship to change their life and even their community. We look forward to further supporting these incredible students and continuing the ongoing work with organizations and communities around the region to foster a more vibrant startup ecosystem.”
This Year’s E-Cup
The E-Cup is a natural extension of the College’s efforts to cultivate a thriving regional entrepreneurial landscape. The competition has grown exponentially over the past six years, increasing from four entries in 2019 to 53 in 2024. The goal remains to uncover and nurture excellent ideas from every corner of the College and develop the concepts into compelling projects.
The winners of this year’s competition are:
1st Place: Gavin Greer, Greer Goggles
An alternative to traditional personal protective equipment (PPE) with hydrophobic, double-lensed safety goggles that protect against various hazards.
2nd Place: Christina Korakopoulou, XMed
An AI diagnostic tool that will assist medical providers in effective and efficient care.
3rd Place: Justin Snider, AI Kiosk for Hotels
A full-service concierge service providing check-in, check-out and hotel reservations in an easy-to-use kiosk system.
4th Place: Lucy Cunliffe, Study Buddy
A dynamic app designed to tailor learning and mentor students in need of additional academic assistance.
5th Place: Anderson Cummins, Promotify
A multi-faceted approach to social media marketing that focuses on influencers, big, micro, and nano alike, to build their influence and provide them with brand collaborations.
“If you can find something you’re passionate about or you or your friends need, it’s so nice to explore that and see what other people think about it. Don’t be scared of the criticism—just go for it,” said Lucy Cunliffe, E-Cup participant.