The University of Dayton’s Flyer Pitch, one of the largest new venture competitions on the collegiate level, is now accepting applications from anyone with an idea for a business or Greater West Dayton community initiative.

Flyer Pitch awards nearly $150,000 in cash prizes and $50,000 of in-kind prizes during the competition. 

“This is about helping people make their ideas possible with expert guidance and funds,” said Vince Lewis, director of the university's L. William Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. “Flyer Pitch has a strong track record of success — 74 businesses launched and more than $24 million of capital raised in the last 15 years — and the competition also now is a catalyst for social change with money and mentorship for nonprofits, social enterprises and community initiatives in Greater West Dayton.” 

The deadline to apply for the first round is Oct. 15. 

Flyer Pitch is sponsored by PNC Bank, the Entrepreneurs' Center and Bandila Studios. Finalists also are paired with industry-specific mentors to develop their ideas and have access to a coworking membership at The Hub Powered by PNC at the Dayton Arcade and the Greater West Dayton Incubator. 

The 2021 start-up winner, Zoza, formerly illume, a device that allows endurance athletes to send emergency messages to predefined emergency contacts while training, has begun production tooling and software development with a goal of fully entering the market next summer. The Greater West Dayton Incubator (GWDI) social venture track winner, Westside Makerspace, a West Dayton-based collaborative to spur creativity and new ventures, has raised $40,000 in additional funds since winning, launched a survey to learn more about the skills and interests of future members and is working toward the grand opening of their pilot location.

More information on the competition and how to apply is available at flyerpitch.com.