DelVal to Host 2025 Spark Bowl Start Up Pitch Competition Nov. 20

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Delaware Valley University, in partnership with the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce and Startup Bucks, will host Spark Bowl, a “shark-tank”-style competition for small businesses and nonprofit ventures. The competition will take place on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. in DelVal’s Life Sciences Building Auditorium.

A networking reception will begin at 5 p.m. in the Life Sciences Building Atrium, giving attendees, aspiring entrepreneurs and community members a chance to meet contestants and local startup leaders before the formal program begins. While attendance is free to the public, registration for the networking event is encouraged. Visit delval.edu/sparkbowl to register.

Participants will deliver pitch presentations to a distinguished panel of judges, who will evaluate proposals addressing social, consumer and business-oriented challenges in and around Bucks County.

The 2025 judging panel includes:

  • Susan Lonergan, director of middle market and specialized banking for Fulton Bank’s commercial sales and lending teams across five states
  • Blair Rush, Southeast region president of C&N,
  • Daniel Moloney, co-founder of Alphaspan Capital, chairman of Adeia, Inc.,
  • William Schutt, founder, former owner, and chairman of MATCOR, Inc. 

Finalist teams will compete for funding, recognition and assistance in scaling their ventures. In addition to the competition, the event offers a platform for attendees to connect with local entrepreneurs, sponsors and community support organizations.

Spark Bowl seeks to spark economic growth by encouraging innovation among early stage businesses and organizations, with emphasis on real-world problem-solving for Bucks County’s communities. The competition also offers an opportunity for DelVal students to gain real-world experience in creating business plans, pitches and professional communications. Each competing business is paired with a student business consulting team in preparation for the competition.

Spark Bowl is made possible through the generous support of sponsors who believe in fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and community growth. Sponsorship opportunities are available at a variety of levels, offering meaningful visibility and engagement with business and community leaders throughout Bucks County. Tiers begin with Spark Bowl Friends, which offers listing in the competition program in exchange for a donation of any amount, and cap at The Ignite Sponsors, which offers several promotional benefits in exchange for $10,000+ donations.

Organizations or individuals interested in supporting Spark Bowl are encouraged to contact the University at sparkbowl@delval.edu or call 215.489.4865 to learn more about sponsorship benefits and recognition opportunities.