Mountain State entrepreneurs invited to make pitch to Walmart through “Open Call” event

GHENT, WV ( WVNS ) — Calling all entrepreneurs!

Some Mountain State small business owners could soon have the opportunity to pitch their idea to Walmart and Sam’s Club for them to be sold online or on physical store shelves. The pitch event, being done through Walmart’s 11th annual “Open Call” event, has had great success since the program launch in 2014.

Applications for the event are open until July 15, 2024 .

Open Call offers an extraordinary growth opportunity for even more West Virginia small and medium businesses. Entrepreneurs who secure a “golden ticket” — a deal for Walmart to sell their products in stores or online — can gain access to a vast customer base, enabling significant growth. After earning golden tickets, Open Call winners often go on to grow their manufacturing footprints and create jobs within their local communities.

Walmart Open Call Event | Press Release

West Virginia is currently home to 44 Walmart locations with more than 12,500 employees. Local businesses work closely with Walmart, as the company supports 3,714 supplier jobs, while spending $95.3 million with suppliers in West Virginia during the 2024 Fiscal Year.

The 2023 Walmart Open Call event saw more than 1,000 business pitches from 700 entrepreneurs across all 50 states. The application deadline is July 15, 2024.

CLICK HERE FOR AN APPLICATION TO THE 11TH ANNUAL WALMART OPEN CALL EVENT.

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