From young inventors to high-growth potential business founders, some of West Virginia’s most forward-thinking minds were celebrated this week as winners were announced at the Mountain State Innovators Summit, held November 12-14 at Stonewall Resort.
Hosted by the Hayhurst Family, West Virginia University Extension and the WVU Morris L. Hayhurst LaunchLab, the Summit brought together finalists from across the state to compete in eight live pitch competitions, awarding more than $300,000 in total prizes to entrepreneurs, students, and community leaders.
“Moments like this show exactly why we wanted to create the Mountain State Innovators Summit,” said Jim Davis, member of the Hayhurst Family. “The creativity, courage, and perseverance of these finalists shine a light on West Virginia’s potential. They’re not only developing ideas that can change their communities—they’re inspiring all of us to invest in innovation, collaboration, and the future of our state.”
Over the course of three days, finalists presented their best ideas to panels of judges representing the business, education, and community development sectors.
“These winners are proof that the future of our state is bright,” said Secretary of State Kris Warner, one of the Summit judges. “Each finalist demonstrated creativity, courage and a genuine commitment to improving their communities through innovation.”
The Summit featured competitions for middle and high school students, undergraduate and graduate students, veteran-owned businesses, women-focused businesses, and established enterprises through the Morris L. Hayhurst Invitational. Each track was designed to recognize and reward innovation, leadership and entrepreneurial spirit at every stage of development. The event included a veterans awards dinner with a color guard ceremony conducted by the Lewis County High School Airforce JROTC.
The Mountain State Innovators Summit is presented by the Hayhurst Family, with additional support from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, Verizon Wireless and Huntington Bank. These gifts were made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.
In addition to supporting the Summit and prizes, the Hayhurst Family made a donation of $25,000 to a food pantry in each of the nine counties participating in the Young Innovators program.
2025 Mountain State Innovators Summit Winners
Betty Davis Middle School Pitch Competition
My Hometown Is Cool mini-grants
- 1st Place – Moundsville Middle School (Marshall County) – Graffiti Wall, $3,500
- 2nd Place – Harts PK-8 (Lincoln County) – Harts River Access Area and Beautification Project, $3,000
- 3rd Place – Braxton County Middle School (Braxton County) – Building Blessings, $2,500
- Promising Project: Guyan Valley Middle School (Lincoln County) – Wildcat Recreation, $1,500
- Promising Project: South Middle School (Monongalia County) – Stallion Time, $1,000
Robin Hayhurst High School Pitch Competition
- 1st Place Tie – Brooke High School (Brooke County) – Saw Armor and Straight Shot, $2,500
- 2nd Place – Braxton County High School (Braxton County) – SolSeat, $1,500
- 3rd Place – Wetzel County Technical Education Center (Wetzel County) – Safe Chat, $1,000
- Promising Project: Ben Franklin Career Center (Kanawha County) – BFCC Tourism Corner Coffee, $500
- Promising Project: John Marshall High School (Marshall County) – AI Smart Garbage, $500
- Promising Project: Lincoln County High School (Lincoln County) – Lincoln County Mentor Program, $500
- Promising Project: Mingo Central High School (Mingo County) – Mingo County Tourism App, $500
- Promising Project: Ripley High School (Jackson County) – WV Farmer’s Marketplace, $500
Christy Hayhurst Davis Undergraduate Pitch Competition
Total prizes: $17,500
- 1st Place – $10,000: Goldenrod Kitchen, Nola Todd
- 2nd Place – $5,000: Simply Smoothies, Mckenna Valasek and Logan Moiles
- 3rd Place – $2,500: GreenMatter, Kassidy Blatt
James Davis Graduate Pitch Competition
Total prizes: $17,500
- 1st Place – $10,000: FarmerzTool Technologies, Tafara Ushendibaba
- 2nd Place – $5,000: Stud-IA, Juan Marino
- 3rd Place – $2,500: Market Leader Technologies/BotHQ-AI, Daniel Fournier
Ronald Hayhurst Brick-and-Mortar Pitch Competition
Total prizes: $17,500
- 1st Place – $10,000: Withrow Sharpening and Sales, Alexis Campbell
- 2nd Place – $5,000: Cryptid Mountain Miniature Golf, Colton Metzger and Matthew Tolliver
- 3rd Place – $2,500: Natives Fly Fishing & Catch Cam Nets, Beau Robinson
Robert Hayhurst Veterans Pitch Competition
Total prizes: $17,500
- 1st Place – $10,000: Blue Thistle Fibers, Clare Loftus
- 2nd Place – $5,000: The Gorge Wood Company, Jack Taggart
- 3rd Place – $2,500: UAFeeders, Orland M. Underwood, Jr.
Beulah Hayhurst Women’s Pitch Competition
Total prizes: $17,500
- 1st Place – $10,000: Mountains to Water Woodshop, Kate Preston
- 2nd Place – $5,000: Old School Christmas Farms, Maggie Blankenship
- 3rd Place – $2,500: Mayfield Mountain Kennels, Savanna Patterson
Morris L. Hayhurst Invitational
Top prizes: $175,000 total
- 1st Place – $100,000: Buddy N Beast, Andy Henthorn
- 2nd Place – $50,000: Nikola Landscape Lighting, LLC, Luke McConnell
- 3rd Place – $25,000: YNST Magazine, Adam Payne
For more information and full winner bios, visit extension.wvu.edu/msis.
Keep up with WVU Extension programs and activities by visiting extension.wvu.edu or following @WVUExtension on Facebook and Instagram.
-WVU-
hb/11/14/2025
CONTACT: Hannah Booth
Interim Director of Communications, Marketing & Technology
WVU Division for Land-Grant Engagement
304-293-8701;
hannah.booth@mail.wvu.edu