Startups representing Northern Kentucky University completed a near-sweep of a recent statewide, intercollegiate pitch competition. Three early-stage businesses representing the school walked away with a combined $18,000 in prizes.
KY Pitch, an annual competition for students from Kentucky’s post-secondary colleges and universities, was held Oct. 24, and three out of six winning teams were from NKU. Finalists competed across two tracks: exploratory, for newly formed ideas; and developed, for startups more existing.
Smoove Creations, a customized footwear company founded by Isaiah Kelly, took second place in the developed track and a $5,000 prize.
Kelly founded Smoove in 2018 through NKU’s Inkubator, a 12-week business accelerator for students and alumni. In his pitch, he said Smoove is about fostering self expression. The company has customized shoes for St. Elizabeth, Raiders linebacker Preston Brown and WWE superstar Brian Cage, among others.
“The shoes that you see aren’t shoes you can get in a mall or in a store. These are shoes uniquely tailored to the client… and give individuals an opportunity to stand out,” he said.
Avasha, a platform for affordable, real-time virtual personal styling, placed third in the developed track and received $3,500. Avasha, co-founded by students Ally Creech and Elizabeth Shrout, was also named the people’s choice award winner, which came with an additional $4,500. Creech and Shrout said they are working toward developing a custom app for the company.
In the exploratory track, Open Bay Auto, also representing Northern Kentucky University, placed first and received $5,000. Open Bay Auto, founded by Kameron Seabrook, provides a safe environment for DIY mechanics, while also giving them a platform to make money.
The competition’s overall winner, DoseDefense, representing the University of Louisville, took the top prize of $7,500. OPUS, representing Asbury University, and Appalach Medical, representing the University of Pikeville, took second and third place, respectively, in the exploratory track.
KY Pitch, formerly Idea State U, was created to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship; the competition is organized and governed by Kentucky’s Office of Entrepreneurship and by KEENStart, a nonprofit focused on entrepreneurship education. Winners receive mentorship, membership to a local entrepreneurial group, accounting and legal consultation, and more.
The 2020 KY Pitch event featured a five-member panel of judges, three with local connections: Brit Fitzpatrick, executive director of Northern Kentucky’s Blue North; Nancy Aichholz, CEO and president of Aviatra Accelerators in Covington; and Naashom Marx, senior manager of strategic innovation at CVG.
