West Virginia’s next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators took center stage at the SparkWV 2026 Final Competition, held as part of Bridging Innovation Week in Morgantown. SparkWV is a collaborative initiative between The EdVenture Group and the West Virginia Department of Education, designed to inspire middle and high school students to develop innovative ideas and student-run businesses while building entrepreneurial mindset and real-world skills. This year’s competition was also proudly sponsored by the JumpStart Savings Program and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, whose support helped make access, direct student investment, and awards possible. 

This year’s SparkWV competition began with 135 student entrepreneurs representing 19 West Virginia counties, working to bring 74 innovative business ideas to life. Through multiple rounds of competition—including business concept development, Lean Canvas planning, and pitch deck creation—students refined their ideas with the support of educators, mentors, and judges from across the state. 

The final competition featured 12 finalist teams made up of 18 student competitors, including 3 middle school teams, who pitched their ideas live on stage at Morgantown’s historic Met Theater in front of judges, peers, educators, families, and a livestream audience. 

From sustainability-focused ventures to accessibility-driven technology and creative small business concepts, each team demonstrated not only innovative thinking, but professionalism, resilience, and a deep commitment to solving real-world problems.