The Wayne Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has announced the 2026 KickStart Wayne County Adult and Student Pitch Competitions. Applications for both the Adult and Student competitions are due Friday, March 6, 2026 by 4:00 PM; and the Pitch Competition Final Event is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

“We are excited to once again to open the KickStart Wayne County Pitch Competition” said Brian Pincelli, Executive Director of the Wayne Economic Development Corporation. “I am exceedingly impressed every year with the quality and passion all of our participants bring to this program. Cultivating our resident’s entrepreneurial spirit while bringing resources and assistance to those entrepreneurs is what this event is all about.”

The Adult Pitch Competition is open to Wayne County residents who have businesses less than three (3) years old. Businesses must be located in Wayne County. To participate, individuals must submit a registration form, executive summary of their business plan, financial statements, and a business verification document such as a DBA, Corporate Resolution, or Articles of Incorporation. Applicants must attend at least one (1) of the scheduled SCORE workshops.

SCORE, a nonprofit organization and resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), will host a series of free entrepreneurial workshops at Macedon Public Library (30 W. Main St., Macedon, NY) on February 21, and February 28. 

The Student Pitch Competition invites high school students in grades 9 through 12 to explore business concepts and ignite a passion for future business ventures. A prize pool of $5,000.00 will be distributed across multiple categories. Students will create an executive summary, financial projections using a provided template, and a video sub-mission of their business idea. Public, private or homeschooled students who are residents of Wayne County, or attend a Wayne County school district are invited to apply. Students can utilize help from teachers, mentors or parents; WEDC provides some re-sources to guide students through the steps of starting a business. Applications are due on Friday, March 6th by 4:00 PM.

Further information including competition registration form, eligibility guidelines, and resources can be found at the WEDC website at www.wedcny.com in the “Small Business KickStart” section. 

Applications are due on Friday, March 6th by 4:00 PM.