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Just a Few Weeks Left to Apply to Spark Bowl, a 'Shark Tank'-Style Competition That Awards Funding to Local Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs

by Nicole McMahon

Doylestown, PA (08/25/2022) — The third annual Spark Bowl, a "Shark-Tank"-like competition, will award thousands of dollars in prizes to area small businesses on November 17 at Delaware Valley University (DelVal). The competition, which is hosted by the University and the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce, is sending out a last call to all applicants as the deadline to apply is Friday, September 16.

Spark Bowl encourages entrepreneurs, innovative businesses and nonprofit organizations that address social, consumer and business-oriented challenges in and around Bucks County to apply. As part of DelVal's experiential learning program, DelVal students will serve as business consultants for the finalist teams who will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges. "Spark Bowl provides a relevant and impactful experience for DelVal business students, who help the finalists prepare for the competition," said Dr. Tanya Casas, dean of the School of Business and Humanities.

Prize money will be awarded to support the top three competing teams. The top three teams of student business consultants will also be eligible for cash prizes. Last year's Spark Bowl winners walked away with a total of $28,500 in prizes.

The judges will be local entrepreneurs who have a high degree of success in the business world, reported Dr. Vail Garvin, CEO of The Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce. "The Board of the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce is very proud to be working again with Delaware Valley University on Spark Bowl to support our greater community," said Dr. Garvin. "We're building on the success of last year's competition. The competition enriches the local business community and gives students the type of real-world experience that DelVal is known for."

Spark Bowl 2022 will take place on November 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Life Sciences Building on DelVal's campus. Spark Bowl contestants come from a wide variety of industries, and applications are due by Friday, September 16.

Apply: Those who are interested in applying or eager to learn more can visit delval.edu/spark.

Become a Sponsor: Are you interested in helping people put their dreams into action? Sponsors will have the opportunity to review applications from local entrepreneurs, existing businesses and nonprofit organizations wishing to impact economic growth and prosperity in Bucks County. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please email sparkbowl@delval.edu or call 215.348.3913. Sponsorship level information and a link to make a gift online to support the event can be found at delval.edu/spark.

About Delaware Valley University

Delaware Valley University is a private, comprehensive, nonprofit university educating students with a curriculum that emphasizes and requires experiential learning. Located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles north of Philadelphia, the University offers more than 25 undergraduate majors in life and physical sciences, business, the humanities, and agricultural and environmental sciences; nine master's degrees; and a doctorate in education. Founded in 1896, DelVal has been cited by the National Society for Experiential Education as having the country's top experiential learning program, by Princeton Review as one of the best colleges in the Northeast, and by College Factual as having one of the top 20 animal science programs in the country.

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Delaware Valley University gives last call to applicants for Spark Bowl competition.

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