The Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center

The Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center fosters entrepreneurship across West Chester University and throughout Chester County by preparing students to contribute to the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Your gift today will help us reach new heights as we prepare the leaders of tomorrow, today. Let’s continue to make positive strides to be innovative and forward thinking for the goal of student success!

The Cottrell Center provides access to a rich network of entrepreneurship resources and enhances the startup and growth of new ventures to develop a strong WCU entrepreneurship culture and a vibrant Chester County entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Our office organizes numerous programs and events that support the WCU community:

• The Business Idea Competition - Promotes creativity, idea generation, and entrepreneurship by recognizing innovative ideas for new products, services, and technology. The total prize package of the competition is $11,500. Learn more at www.wcubizideas.com
• The Social Innovation Competition - Encourages participants from diverse disciplines to develop an entrepreneurial idea that addresses and solves significant social or environmental problems. The total prize package of the competition is $5,000. Learn more at www.wcusic.com
• The Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference - WCU is proud to celebrate women’s entrepreneurship. This signature event provides an opportunity to make new connections and explore the endless possibilities that come with being an entrepreneur.
• The Business Accelerator Program - A program delivered for faculty, staff, and students to explore commercialization of their “innovation or technology,” using lean startup concepts.

We are proud to partner with external organizations that assist us in co-hosting these events: SCORE, Chester & Delaware Counties, The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, i2n - The Ideas x Innovation Network, and The Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic.

12th Annual West Chester University Business Idea Pitch

The culmination of the WCU Business Idea Competition is the Annual Business Idea Pitch (BIP) on April 17th, 2024. At the BIP, the top ideas from each track are presented live to a panel of judges which consist of business angels, entrepreneurs, and business advisors.

Winners are announced and awards are presented at the conclusion of the BIP.

Register here to attend: