WKU News

The Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation in WKU’s Gordon Ford College of Business awarded $1,500 to 10 students yesterday during the inaugural Topper Tank Elevator Pitch Competition.

The Topper Tank saw 34 students with a business idea or an invention present their ideas in a 90-second pitch to three business professionals, akin to the popular ABC show “Shark Tank.” The students were divided into two groups, allowing more students to win cash awards and consult with the judges about their ideas.

1^st Place ($400):

Samantha McCormick (Group 1) Taboo Fitness

Quashaun Stewart, Jasmine Morris, and Grant Sederick (Group 2) The Anything Shop, LLC

2^nd Place ($200):

Daniel Vorlet (Group 1) Music Videos

Tim LeMastus (Group 2) LED Sculpture

3^rd Place ($100):

Jae Craycraft (Group 1) QuickPark App

Deana Cowles (Group 2) Watercolor Wedding and Event Design

Honorable Mention ($50):

Elizabeth McCoy (Group 1) ENM Threads

Cecil Perry (Group 2) Dental Detox

“The Topper Tank is an opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to meet with business professionals to receive feedback and assistance that will help them further their ideas,” said Dr. Dawn Bolton, Interim Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. “We are thrilled that 34 students were able to spend quality time with business leaders who once were in their positions – students with a dream.”