The Dominion Energy Innovation Center (DEIC) and Randolph-Macon College (R-MC) are inviting emerging technology and small business startups from across Virginia to apply for its Pitch Competition.
Donor Name: Dominion Energy Innovation Center
State: Virginia
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Competition
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 02/01/2022
Size of the Grant: $5,000
Details:
DEIC has been an outlet for entrepreneurial activity and green technologies for over a decade. Randolph-Macon College, located on Ashland’s Center Street, has been part of the town’s fabric since 1830. Divided only by the historic train tracks that run through the center of town, DEIC and R-MC are natural partners. This pitch competition is an opportunity for DEIC to recognize promising startups across Virginia, as well as R-MC’s growing commitment to providing entrepreneurial education and resources for their student body.
Competition Tracks
- Energy and Sustainability: Any idea, technology, process, product, and/or service that relates to energy, clean energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, environmental, and/or sustainability applications, including carbon finance and measurement, ecology, or bio-diversity.
- Examples: Recycling technology, LED manufacturing technology, lithium-ion batteries, clean energy crowdfunding service.
- RVA Metro Ag-Enterprises: Any food, forestry, or agricultural business located in Richmond, Virginia metro area, that seeks to commercialize a technology, process, product, or service that relates to agriculture, food production, distribution, or food waste.
- Examples: tea subscription box, crop management software, composting service, protein shakes, craft beer or alcoholic beverages, food prep subscription boxes.
- Randolph-Macon College: A special competition track just for students of Randolph-Macon College located in beautiful Ashland, Virginia. Any undergrad or a graduate student going full or part-time to R-MC is encouraged to enter this track no matter the industry, size, or stage of their business.
- Examples: an app that helps pairs potential roommates, skincare solutions, designer eyewear, custom vending machines, custom clothing design.
Benefits
The Center Street pitch competition will feature six Virginia companies in varying stages of growth going after two prizes worth a combined $10,000, and a free one-year membership to the DEIC. The winner in each category, sustainability-focused and RVA Metro ag-enterprise, will also receive a comprehensive branding package courtesy of a local marketing agency. The finalists selected will be given 5 minutes to pitch in front of a panel of judges, followed by live Q&A. Also participating will be three student teams representing R-MC, who will pitch for a separate $5,000 cash prize and co-working space at DEIC.
For more information, visit 2022 Center Street Pitch Competition.
