The Inaugural Wells Fargo Textile Entrepreneur Pitch Event
The Pitch to the Pack – Wells Fargo Textile Entrepreneur Pitch Event, by our exclusive sponsor Wells Fargo, is a competition open to textile-focused entrepreneurs who aim to propel the North Carolina textile industry forward. Whether companies are developing cutting-edge technology, bettering the environment through sustainability, or focused on serving everyday textile consumers, they can compete for the chance to win valuable nominations to the NC State Andrews Launch Accelerator, and monetary awards to be used for prototyping and business development. The program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students from NC State University and all staff, faculty, and alumni from the Wilson College of Textiles, who are working on a textile-based business.
Upon registering for the event, teams will have the opportunity to attend a “How to Make a Pitch” session, before submitting their online video application. Judges will review video applications to narrow down the candidates to 12 finalists who will pitch live in front of a judging panel of industry experts on Feb. 7, 2025. Teams who are selected as finalists will participate in Prototyping Sessions hosted by the W. Duke Kimbrell Flex Factory at the Wilson College of Textiles. These sessions will be held in January 2025.
Registration is Open!
Important Dates
- Registration Deadline | Nov. 20, 2024
- How to Make a Pitch Session | Nov. 21, 2024
- Video Application Deadline | Dec. 5, 2024
- Finalist Announcement | Dec. 18, 2024
- Prototyping Sessions | Jan. 2-31, 2025
- Pitch to the Pack – Wells Fargo Textile Entrepreneur Pitch Event | Feb. 7, 2025
Rules and Requirements
- All business concepts/products must be textile-related.
- The program is open to:
- All undergraduate and graduate students from NC State University.
- Staff, faculty and alumni from the Wilson College of Textiles.
- Those whose business relies on university-owned technology should speak with the Office of Research Commercialization before registering.
- Finalists must participate in one of the Prototyping Sessions held in January 2025.
- Finalists must agree to participate in the Pitch to the Pack – Wells Fargo Textile Entrepreneur Pitch Event video. This will capture activities prior to, during and after the event to showcase the work of finalists.
- Finalists must be available to pitch their concept at Pitch to the Pack – Wells Fargo Textile Entrepreneur Pitch Event on Feb. 7, 2025.