Latest winners honored in Ideas 2 Enterprise program

Jake Gedekoh of Armory Court and Event Center won first-place honors and a $5,000 grant.

By the MVI

The Mon Valley Alliance Foundation, in partnership with Washington & Jefferson College’s Ignite Business Incubator, recently hosted its fifth Ideas 2 Enterprise awards ceremony, awarding $9,000 in prizes funded by the EQT Foundation.

Shown, from left, are Cohort 5 grant winners Ryan Smith of PA Rain or Shine (third place); Jake Gedekoh of Armory Court and Event Center (first place); and Lillian Shvarts, Lil Delights (second place.) Jenn Codeluppi / Mon Valley Independent

The event celebrated the completion of the fifth Mon Valley I2E cohort, a free five-week workshop series designed to help aspiring and existing entrepreneurs develop comprehensive business plans.

Throughout the program, participants worked with subject matter experts to refine their marketing strategies, financial models and operational plans, culminating in a final pitch to a panel of judges for the opportunity to receive startup grant funding.

Businesses represented in Cohort 5 were: Nunny’s Magical Creations, LilDelights, Live Laugh Play & Learn, CareForce, Ashes 2 Ashes Mobile Cigar Lounge, Armory Court and Event Center, PA Rain or Shine, The Paper Trail, and Account 4Yourself, LLC.

Following the certificate presentation, Armory Court and Event Center was awarded the top prize of $5,000, LilDelights received $3,000, and PA Rain or Shine received $1,000.

Prize funding for the cohort was provided by the EQT Foundation, helping participants take the next steps toward growing and strengthening their businesses.

“The I2E program continues to demonstrate the power of accessible, community-based business development,” said Max Miller, the director of the Ignite Business Incubator. “Every cohort brings together entrepreneurs with different ideas, experiences, and goals, but they share a willingness to put in the work to build stronger, more sustainable businesses. We’re proud of what the Cohort 5 participants accomplished and excited to see where they take their businesses from here.”

The partnership between the Mon Valley Alliance and Ignite brings entrepreneurial programming, expertise, and resources directly into the Mon Valley, complementing the support available to businesses through the cfsbank Business Resource Center.

“Having Ignite and W&J maintain a consistent presence here in the Mon Valley is incredibly valuable,” said Jamie Colecchi, CEO of the Mon Valley Alliance.

The Mon Valley Alliance and Ignite will continue the partnership with another Ideas 2 Enterprise cohort beginning in October.

Entrepreneurs interested in participating in an upcoming cohort are encouraged to join the I2E waiting list by visiting https://monvalleyalliance. civicserve.com/ or

emailing brc@monvalleyalliance. org.