Brad Harris, representing Volusia County Economic Development, briefed the Economic Development Advisory Board on the Volusia Innovation Challenge, a countywide pitch competition open to residents and students age 18 and over.

Harris said applications open Jan. 6 and close Jan. 31, with judges selecting finalists who will make live pitch presentations at the Ocean Center on March 27. He described the event as modeled on pitch-competition formats and intended to encourage entrepreneurship, surface business concepts that could become local companies and help create jobs.

Harris said the county expects roughly 40–50 applicants and noted that participants who do not make the finals may still be invited to a parallel showcase at the Ocean Center to present ideas to attendees and potential investors. Among in-kind prizes Harris listed was a free year in the county business incubator for the competition winner.

Board members discussed outreach channels; Harris said the county has issued press releases, used the Volusia County Economic Development newsletter, partner-chamber newsletters, social media and a Volusia Business Resource Partners distribution list. Board members recommended community-specific channels such as the Daytona Times to reach Black community audiences through church and small-business distribution lists. Harris said staff welcome additional partner outreach and marketing suggestions.

There was no formal action; the presentation was informational and staff asked the board to help publicize the application window.