Mon Valley Alliance Foundation and Ignite Business Incubator Hosted First-Ever I2E Awards Ceremony in the Mon Valley

MONONGAHELA, PA – April 22, 2025 – The Mon Valley Alliance Foundation (MVAF), in partnership with Washington & Jefferson College’s Ignite Business Incubator, proudly hosted the first-ever Ideas 2 Enterprise (I2E) Awards Ceremony in the Mon Valley on Tuesday, April 22, at MVAF’s Business Resource Center in downtown Monongahela.  

The event celebrated the completion of the inaugural Mon Valley I2E cohort, a free, five-week workshop series designed to help aspiring and existing entrepreneurs develop comprehensive business plans. Over the course of the program, participants worked with subject matter experts to refine their marketing strategies, financial models, and operational plans, culminating in a pitch to a panel of judges for the chance to receive startup grant funding.  

Attendees of the event included guests of the I2E class, local business leaders, Ignite program alumni, and members of the I2E Advisory Board. Guests enjoyed an evening of networking, refreshments, and recognition as select I2E participants were awarded cash grants to help launch or expand their business.  

The cash prizes awarded through the I2E program were made possible by generous funding from EQT Foundation, a long-time supporter of community and economic development initiatives across the region. 

Winners of the first Mon Valley I2E competition were:  

• First Place – $5,000 Grant: Amanda Altamare - 1837 Botanicals 

• Second Place – $3,000 Grant: Jenn Codeluppi - Studio 47 Portraits 

• Third Place – $1,000 Grant: Tanya Bashor - Impart Clarity LLC 

  
  

“The I2E program is all about providing the tools and support that entrepreneurs need to take the next big step,” said Max Miller, Director of the Ignite Business Incubator at W&J College. “By partnering with the Mon Valley Alliance Foundation, we’re expanding access to these vital resources and tapping into the incredible energy and ideas already present in these entrepreneurial communities.”  

While the I2E program has hosted 13 cohorts open to all Washington County businesses, participation from Mon Valley communities had historically been limited. This new partnership with MVAF was created to directly engage and support entrepreneurs in the Mon Valley, ensuring they have access to the same high-quality business development resources close to home. 

“We are proud to bring the I2E program to the Mon Valley and support the next generation of local business leaders,” said Jamie Colecchi, CEO of the Mon Valley Alliance. “This initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to strengthen economic opportunity through education, innovation, and investment.”  

Each I2E participant will continue to receive business counseling from Ignite’s subject matter experts to further refine and implement their plans. The success of this first cohort sets the stage for future program offerings in the region, strengthening the local small business ecosystem.  

The Business Resource Center and Ignite will soon launch another I2E Cohort for the Mon Valley. Visit https://mvabrc.org/services#educational-training to learn more or to join the waitlist. 

Ideas 2 Enterprise Mon Valley Cohort 1:

• Weneisha Young - Diverse Beauty LLC

• Bill Hecklick - Hecklick Tax

•  Mohammad Imdad Ul Bashir Chowdhury - Bangladeshi Food

• Diane Atland - Rosewood Tower Consulting

• Amanda Altamare - 1837 Botanicals

• Tanya Bashor - Impart Clarity LLC

• Jennifer Codeluppi - Studio 47 Portraits

• Andrew Dunlevy - Dunlevy Construction, Inc.