Experiences

World Wide Technology Pitch Competition

Event Overview

Three of St. Louis's most prominent organizations—University of Missouri-St. Louis, World Wide Technology, and Charter Communication's Spectrum Reach—have joined forces in an innovative partnership to bring increased awareness, resources, and support to the local small business community. This collaboration leverages the strengths of each organization to foster entrepreneurship and stimulate economic growth throughout the St. Louis region. UMSL's highly regarded entrepreneur accelerator program serves as the foundation for this initiative, equipping aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, and mentorship needed to succeed. Upon graduating from the program, participants will be automatically entered into a prestigious pitch competition hosted at WWT GHQ. This competition provides graduates with a platform to showcase their business ideas to a panel of experts and potential partners. UMSL, WWT, and Charter Communication's Spectrum Reach present to you - a Pitch Competition.

Featured Speakers

Scott Morris

University of Missouri St. Louis

Director of the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center and Assistant Teaching Professor of Entrepreneurship in the College of Business Administration

Scott is the Director of the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center and Assistant Teaching Professor of Entrepreneurship in the College of Business Administration. He has spent 30 years dedicated to helping various employers develop and implement scaling strategies that have led to significantly better than market growth rates. His experiences are in Corporate Strategy, Corporate Development, Mergers and Acquisition, Marketing, and Division President roles.
Will Saulsbery

Spectrum Reach

Sr. Manager of Field Marketing

Will Saulsbery is the Senior Manager of Field Marketing for Spectrum Reach, the Ad Sales division of Spectrum. In addition, he has established himself as a prominent ghostwriter, with his work appearing in top-tier publications like Forbes, Fast Company, Tech Crunch, Entrepreneur, The Observer, and The Hill.

What to expect

The winner of the pitch competition will receive a $15,000 advertising scholarship, a crucial financial boost to help advance their business goals. Additionally, they will gain entry into Spectrum Reach's Pay It Forward program, which offers over $15,000 in free advertising services to small businesses.
  • This comprehensive support package aims to provide the winner with the visibility and resources needed to scale their business effectively.

Goals and Objectives

This partnership represents the alignment of three organizations with similar missions: to empower and uplift the small business community in St. Louis. UMSL contributes its academic excellence and entrepreneurial expertise, WWT provides a platform for innovation and networking, and Spectrum Reach enhances visibility through strategic advertising support. Together, we are driving meaningful change, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities for the next generation of St. Louis entrepreneurs.

Who should attend?

Members of the St Louis Supplier Diversity Network, Mid-states Supplier Development Council, St. Louis Urban League, Missouri Business Development Agency, UMSL, Spectrum Reach, ICIC, Small Business Owners and World Wide Technology.