WTEC to Mark Global Entrepreneurship Week with $7,500 Pitch Event, Workshops

Contact: Brian Enevoldsen, 806-651-5151, [email protected]
Copy by Adam Jiwa, 806-651-8503, [email protected]

AMARILLO, Texas - A chance to win critical startup funding is on the line at the kickoff of the WT Enterprise Center's celebration ofGlobal Entrepreneurship Week.

WTEC and America's SBDC at WTAMU, both departments of West Texas A&M University's Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business, will host eight events from Nov. 18 to 22 at their Amarillo facility, 2300 N. Western St. in Amarillo.

Qualifed business owners can compete in a private Nov. 18 pitch event, where the top three finalists will be awarded a share of $7,500. The event is sponsored by WTEC, SBDC, Amarillo National Bank and City Federal Credit Union.

The three finalists will present their pitches to the public for the week-ending "Harvesting Success" event at 5 p.m. Nov. 22.

"Early-stage startups often struggle to secure funding," said Zaida Cordova, WTEC community manager. "This event offers entrepreneurs a direct opportunity to compete for a share of $7,500, which can be used to fund growth and invest in their business."

To qualify to make a pitch, business owners must be 18 years or older, make less than $75,000 in annual revenue, have been in business for less than two years prior to Nov. 15, and be located in one of the top 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle.

Entrepreneurs will not be alone while preparing for the pitch event as both departments will offer no-cost assistance to entrepreneurs who wish to enter.

"The skill of being able to summerize pitch a business idea is valuable for all entrepreneurs, whether they're seeking funding or not," said Gina Woodward, regional director for America's SBDC at WT. "Qualified entrepreneurs with a new idea are invited to participate in the pitch competition to help develop and sharpen that skill, the chance to win prize money is an added bonus."

The week also will include several other presentations, all open to the public:

Nov. 18:

• 6 to 8 p.m.: Learn about Blueprint, a strategic program that helps new entrepreneurs and startups outline and visualize their business model, concepts and plans for success.

Nov. 20:

• 9 to 10:15 a.m.: "Supply Chain Insights: Strategies and Resources," featuring panelists Dusty Delano from the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center; Jana Hoggatt, director of procurement at Bell Flight; Luke Austin, vice president of procurement at Austin Hose;and Kristi Russell, executive assistant at Midwest Machine. Each will share strategies to support supply chain processes and cut through delays.
• 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.: "Navigating Co-Packing Partnerships," featuring panelists Delano; Brian Enevoldsen, managing director of the WTEC; Derek Skipworth, founder of Skip's Mix;and Tami Potts, founder of Skip's Salsa.This session will give entrepreneurs resources and real-life insights to help decide what's best for their business.
• 3 to 5 p.m.: "Crafting Effective Prompts for ChatGPT and Beyond," featuring Enevoldsen and Synapse AI Solutions co-founders Parker Settle and Orry Skellton. This event will break down the basics and show attendees how to use artificial intelligence more effectively.

Nov. 21:

• 8:30 to 11 a.m.: "Expand with GO TEXAN," featuring Texas Department of Agriculture field representative Brianna McLaughlin and representatives from Creek House Honey Farm, Hot Ruby and Bar Z Winery. The GO TEXAN program helps businesses reach new markets and attract customers who are passionate about supporting Texas-made products.
• 6 to 8 p.m.: "Unlocking AI for Your Side Hustle: From Idea to Income," featuring Logan Higuera, founder of OpenOcean.This event will show entrepreneurs how to use AI tools to help their creative thinking process and come up with new business ideas based on their personal knowledge and resources.

Nov. 22:

• 5 to 8 p.m.: "Harvesting Success," featuring a local vendor market in partnership with Ogallala Commons, including foods and produce from local producers, food trucks, live music and farm-to-table curated Thanksgiving boxes. The evening also will include the three finalists from the Nov. 18 pitch event.

"This week is an opportunity to focus on the small businesses who build successful communities, Enevoldsen said. "We want to invite the public to come join us for a week of great events and great food."

For more information and to RSVP for events, visit WTEnterpriseCenter.com/GEW2024, or call 806-651-8500.

Partnering with and retaining community businesses to improve the quality of life in the Panhandle and beyond is a key component of the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign's new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $160 million.

About WT Enterprise Center

WTEC is a department of WT's Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business and works side-by-side with America's SBDC at WTAMU in supporting economic development throughout the Texas Panhandle. WTEC provides Panhandle entrepreneurs business coaching, access to facilities, access to capital, and various other trainings and programs to assist them in growing companies with strong leadership. WTEC also aims to provide opportunities for College of Business students to intern in local businesses showing them the hard work and dedication entrepreneurs must have to be successful. To learn more about the WT Enterprise Center, visit wtenterprisecenter.com or contact [email protected] or 806-651-8500.

About the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business

The Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business at West Texas A&M University offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, including a bachelor of business administration and an MBA. The College also offers graduate specialized programs in accounting, finance, computer information systems and business analytics. The College, which boasts the largest number of enrolled students among all six of WT's colleges, is routinely named as one of the best business schools in the nation. Its online MBA program recently was ranked No. 20 by the prestigious Princeton Review. Several of its offerings were awarded Best Program status for an 11th consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report in its most recent rankings of online programs.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research University, is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 58 undergraduate degree programs, one associate degree, and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest's finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men's and women's athletics programs.

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