BULL PEN
The Virginia FAIRS Agricultural and Forestry Innovation Challenge “Bull Pen” is an entrepreneurial and innovation competition for eligible businesses across the Commonwealth.
The competition’s purpose is to encourage and facilitate agricultural and forestry entrepreneurship for the benefit of industry and the Commonwealth of Virginia. The competition provides a platform to help contestants develop and promote their enterprise proposals, expose their proposals to professional review and critique and compete for cash prizes intended to help fund proposal implementation. The contest not only provides contestants exposure to potential investors and customers, but it also allows contestants to practice promoting their business venture before critical audiences.
Bull Pen contestants competed for $30,000 in cash prizes, which can be used to advance their business ideas and enterprises. Five finalists competed in two live in-person judging rounds on November 27-28, 2023, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA. The final in-person round occurred before a live audience. Winners were announced on November 28 during the Virginia Farm Bureau® Federation’s Annual Convention. Public voting for the People’s Choice Award was held from October 16, 2023 through 10:00 a.m. ET November 28, 2023, on this website.
Prize Level Cash Prize Amount
Bull Pen Finalists $ 2,500 each
Bull Pen People’s Choice Winner $ 2,500
Bull Pen Runner-up $ 5,000
Bull Pen Winner $ 10,000
Please contact us with any contest questions at BULLPEN@VAFAIRS.COM.
2023 Bull Pen Winner
NTP Technologies
2023 Bull Pen Finalists
A&G Safety Solutions
Ian Antons
NTP Technologies
Potomac Vegetable Farms, Inc
Virginia Oyster Company, LLC
CONTEST MATERIALS
2023 Bull Pen Contest Rules Applicants are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the rules which list eligibility and applicant requirements and contest procedures. 2023 CONTEST RULES
2023 Bull Pen Rubric and Score Sheet Contestant applications will be judged and scored according to the rubric. 2023 CONTEST RUBRIC
2023 Bull Pen Sample Application Form Applicants may preview the on-line application form here: 2023 Sample Application
2023 Bull Pen FAQs Please consult the FAQ for answers to any questions. 2023 Bull Pen FAQs
Still have questions? Contact us at BULLPEN@VAFAIRS.COM.
IRS Form W-9 This form is required of all applicants as part of the complete application package. IRS W-9
SPONSORS
The 2023 Virginia FAIRS Agricultural and Forestry Innovation Challenge is sponsored by:
