Wilkes Community College Small Business Center Calls on Local Entrepreneurs to Compete for $30,000 in Statewide Startup Showdown

Wilkes Community College Small Business Center Calls on Local Entrepreneurs to Compete for $30,000 in Statewide Startup Showdown

Wilkesboro, N.C. – The Small Business Center at Wilkes Community College (WCC) is calling on aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators in Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties to bring their best business ideas to the statewide stage. The North Carolina Small Business Center Network (SBCN) has announced the SBCN Startup Showdown Powered by Wells Fargo, a high-stakes competition supported by the Wells Fargo Foundation, offering a top prize of $30,000 in unrestricted startup funding.

Applications for the competition will open on March 1, 2026, but the WCC Small Business Center is encouraging local residents to begin preparing their concepts now. The Showdown is designed to turn bold ideas into thriving businesses through a combination of professional training, mentorship, and capital.

“We know there is incredible talent and innovation right here in our service area,” said Laurie Brintle-Jarvis, Director of the WCC Small Business Center. “This isn’t just about the prize money—it’s about the journey. Participants will receive world-class training and mentorship that can transform a rough concept into a viable, funded business. We want to see a winner come from right here in the foothills.”

A Launchpad for New Ventures The competition is open to individuals with a new business concept that has not been formally established prior to the start of the program’s training phase in May 2026.

Successful applicants will be selected to represent their region and participate in the “REAL Entrepreneurship Pitch It!” program—an eight-session, instructor-led online course running from May to July. This rigorous training will help finalists refine their business plans, perfect their pitches, and utilize LivePlan software to build a solid foundation for growth.

The Path to the Prize Following the training, finalists will compete in a live Pitch Day in the Triangle area in August 2026. Pitches will be professionally filmed and shared on social media for statewide voting in September, which will help determine the final winners.

The prize structure includes:

• 1st Place: $30,000
• 2nd Place: $20,000
• 3rd Place: $10,000
• Chamber Membership: Each winner also receives up to $1,000 toward membership in their local Chamber of Commerce.

  How to Apply Entrepreneurs interested in representing the Wilkes Community College service area must apply online between March 1 and April 7, 2026.

  To be eligible, applicants must:

1. Complete at least three hours of business counseling with their local Small Business Center.
2. Submit a 3-minute video introduction of their concept.
3. Provide letters of recommendation, including one from their local SBC Director.

“The first step is to come see us,” added Laurie Brintle-Jarvis. “We can help you navigate the counseling requirement and refine your idea before the application window opens. Don’t wait until March to get started.”

For more information on the SBCN Startup Showdown or to schedule a counseling session, contact the Wilkes Community College Small Business Center at 336-838-6166 or visit www.wilkescc.edu/sbc.

Full competition details can be found at: https://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/sbcnstartupshowdown/

About Wilkes Community College

Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties and beyond. Established in 1965, WCC has a proud history of meeting the educational, cultural, and workforce needs of our community. As we look to the future, Wilkes Community College provides programs, resources, and services that create quality educational, economic development, and cultural opportunities. WCC aspires to be an effective, learner-centered institution and a dynamic learning organization, preparing students for success in a changing world.

###