Rio's Center for Entrepreneurship Awards $4,000 in Second Annual “Storm Tank” Student Pitch Competition
4/4/25
The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College’s Center for Entrepreneurship held its second annual student pitch competition called “Storm Tank,” on Monday, March 31. Storm Tank provided a platform for students to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges with local business ties, competing for a $4,000 prize pool. The participants demonstrated their ability to develop viable business models, address market needs, identify differentiation between their products and the market, and deliver compelling pitches in front of the judges and a live audience.
This event was made possible by Rio’s selection as a participant in the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship’s (NACCE) Everyday Entrepreneur Program, which provides community colleges the support needed to provide access to entrepreneurial education and funding for their students to take their businesses from an idea to a thriving enterprise.
Three individual competitors walked away with prizes from the competition:
First Place, $2,000 prize: Mason Coffman, Excel Athletix
Second Place tie, $750 prize: Ryley Harrison, SHO-green
Second Place tie, $750 prize: Bailey Wray, The Game Day Shuttle
The other Storm Tank participants in this year’s competition were awarded $100 each to support the continued development of their businesses as well.
"Storm Tank is the flagship event for our Center for Entrepreneurship here at Rio," said Cole Massie, Director of Economic Development and the Center for Entrepreneurship at Rio. "The event helps our students develop meaningful skills that prepare them not only for business ownership, but also for internships and jobs in the future. The ability to present an idea in a compelling fashion, back it up with market data, persuade our judges, and answer their questions with the pressure on – these are critical skills that will serve these students no matter where their careers take them.”
The eight students participating in this year’s event advanced to the live competition following a competitive round of conceptual submissions earlier in March. Storm Tank showcased a diverse range of concepts and solutions aimed at industries such as consumer technology applications, athletic training, manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, and more.
The eight participants were:
- Joshua Calvert — RightBuy
- Juan Pabon — Bicico
- Bailey Wray — The Game Day Shuttle
- Opal Huggins — Black Diamond Riding Cows
- Mason Coffman — Excel Athletix
- Syeira Denny — Homemade with Love
- Ryley Harrison — SHO-green
- Catherine Knope — “The Staci” Over-The-Counter Medication Guide
Judges for the competition were also critical to the event’s success. These business leaders represent a broad range of industries and expertise, all in an effort to forge new relationships between students and the business community. This year’s judges were:
Shelly Boothe, Ohio Valley Bank
Travis Dennie, ITSVOIP Business Communications, Magic Mirror, and 3D Geek Prints
Nick Roach, The Wiseman Agency & Gallia County Community Foundation
Pat Tackett, Ohio Valley Bank
Amanda Wilson, The Amanda Wilson Real Estate Team
The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College’s Center for Entrepreneurship is dedicated to assisting students and community members access free business consultation, community connections, and specialized programming, such as Storm Tank. This summer, the Center is hosting the Ignite Appalachia Entrepreneur Bootcamp & Pitch Competition through a partnership with the Women’s Business Center for Central Appalachia, Gallia County Chamber of Commerce, and Shawnee State University. That program is open to Gallia County-based small businesses and residents, as well as small businesses and residents in Meigs, Pike, and Jackson counties.
“Entrepreneurship is alive and well in Southeastern Ohio,” continued Massie. “There is a wealth of resources available not only to our students in the region, but also to the broader community. In a rural part of the country, homegrown entrepreneurship is critical to our future success.”
For more information about Storm Tank and other entrepreneurial initiatives at the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College, visit rio.edu/entrepreneurship. Students and community members interested in being part of the Center’s growth can contact Cole Massie, Center Director, at cmassie@rio.edu.
