Two startups founded out of Northern Kentucky University have been listed among the top 50 finalists for a global entrepreneurship competition for students.
Smoove Creations, founded by Isaiah Kelly, and Avasha, co-founded by Ally Creech and Elizabeth Shrout, were named top 50 finalists in December for the 2021 Baylor University “New Venture Competition,” the only startups in the Greater Cincinnati region to earn the nod.
The competition, open to students worldwide, will narrow to 10 finalists Feb. 5 with a final pitch event in March. The companies were scheduled to submit their business plan earlier this month.
Smoove, a 2021 Cincy Inno “Startup to Watch,” is a custom sneaker company. Avasha is a platform for affordable, real-time virtual personal styling. The two have been perennial contenders in at least one past collegiate competition. Each won a cash prize at October’s KY Pitch event, an annual competition for students from Kentucky’s post-secondary colleges and universities.
The New Venture Competition, which launched in 2012, aims to encourage student entrepreneurs to catalyze and grow their business. Applicants receive expert advice throughout the competition cycle, which ends with a final presentation event that includes a judge Q&A, networking, booths, audience participation and awards. In previous years, those in the top 10 would travel to Waco, Texas, to compete. This year’s competition will be held virtually March 26.
NKU was one of only eight schools to place multiple finalists. The top 50 includes startups from 36 universities overall, including Brown, Michigan State, University of Chicago, Tufts, Yale and more.
