West Virginia entrepreneurs are invited to apply for the inaugural Mountain State Innovators Summit, a statewide event hosted by West Virginia University Extension and the WVU Morris L. Hayhurst LaunchLab.
Taking place from November 12-14, 2025, at Stonewall Resort, the Summit aims to develop a pipeline of talented entrepreneurs by providing multiple opportunities to compete for up to $10,000 in funding, receive expert coaching and grow their ventures with ongoing support. K-12 students participating in the WVU Extension Young Innovators Program at their school also will pitch their ideas and compete for $30,000 in prizes.
Applications are open now through June 13 for five competitive pitch tracks. These include tracks for undergraduate students, graduate students, veterans, women-owned or focused businesses, brick-and-mortar businesses, and established businesses ready to expand. Early-stage entrepreneurs can win $10,000, $5,000 or $2,500 in each competition to advance their ideas.
As the pinnacle of the Summit, the WVU Morris L. Hayhurst LaunchLab – for the second year in a row – will host the Hayhurst Invitational, awarding prizes of $100,000, $50,000 and $25,000 to well-established businesses ready to take their next step. Community members are encouraged to nominate their favorite business for this exclusive, invitation-only opportunity.
“This Summit represents an investment in the people of West Virginia: young thinkers, emerging entrepreneurs and committed community leaders,” said Lauren Prinzo, WVU Extension assistant professor and community and economic development specialist who oversees the program. “We are cultivating a pipeline of innovation that reflects the grit, creativity and collaborative spirit of our state.”
Honoring a legacy of innovation and service
The Mountain State Innovators Summit is presented by the Hayhurst Family, who are long-time supporters of innovation, education and entrepreneurship in West Virginia. Each pitch competition is named to honor a member of the Hayhurst Family, reflecting their unique stories and shared legacy of service and investment in the people and communities of West Virginia.
“West Virginia is home to an extraordinary pool of creative talent and untapped opportunity,” said Jim Davis, a WVU industrial engineering graduate and member of the Hayhurst Family. “Our residents exemplify resilience, determination and a deep-rooted sense of community — qualities that are essential to driving sustainable growth across the state. We are proud to invest in cultivating a strong pipeline of entrepreneurial thinkers who will bring fresh innovation to both emerging and established ventures. By providing the tools, resources and support necessary for success, we aim to empower entrepreneurs to pursue their passions and build thriving enterprises right here in West Virginia.”
Who should apply?
Applications are now open to a wide range of entrepreneurs, including:
- Undergraduate and graduate students at any West Virginia college or university
- Veterans (within five years of separation)
- Woman-owned or women-focused businesses (with an owner under the age of 35)
- Brick-and-mortar businesses located in West Virginia (with an owner under the age of 35)
- Established businesses ready to scale (nominations open – by invitation only)
Applicants must submit a brief form and a 90-second video pitch by June 13. Semifinalists will be selected by July 3, receive coaching and access to startup resources, and advance through a competitive process culminating in live pitches at the Summit on November 13, 2025.
Finalists will receive lodging and pitch live at Stonewall Resort before a panel of expert judges, with category winners earning up to $10,000, and in the Morris L. Hayhurst Invitational, receiving up to $100,000 in funding to elevate their business to the next level.
The Summit combines hands-on coaching, competitive pitch events and statewide networking to accelerate innovation in the Mountain State.
In addition to the Summit, the Hayhurst Family sponsored the Young Innovators Program, with additional support for prize money provided by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.
Donations from the Hayhurst Family and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation for these initiatives were made through the WVU Foundation, of which Christy Hayhurst Davis is a board member. The WVU Foundation is the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.
To learn more about how to support WVU Extension and its programs, contact Lauren Seiler, senior director of development.
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