KY Pitch, Kentucky’s largest collegiate business pitch competition, returns next month.
The event, hosted by Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs and the Frazier History Museum, will be held on April 2, starting at 10 a.m. at the Frazier. The public is invited to come root for Kentucky’s future innovators and business leaders as they compete for tens of thousands of dollars in funding, according to a news release.
Sixteen teams representing colleges from across the commonwealth will pitch their business ideas and field questions from a panel of judges. Up to $40,000 in prize money is at stake to help fund the future of the winning enterprises.
“Kentucky’s students are leading the way to a brighter future and that is always clear when you see the bright, creative and innovative participants at any GSE event,” said Gov. Andy Beshear, in the release. “I am grateful to both GSE and the Frazier History Museum for partnering together to offer another rewarding experience for our students to showcase their hard work and dedication.”
Read more about last year's KY Pitch winners here.
The Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs (GSE) runs KY Pitch, which features two different categories for the teams of collegiate entrepreneurs. The Exploratory Track is for early-stage business ideas, while the Developed Track is for businesses closer to being launched or are already operating. Monetary prizes are awarded in both tracks.
To be eligible for the prize money, businesses must be based in Kentucky as they grow over the next few years.
“From high school through college and into the business world, GSE identifies, inspires, and empowers Kentucky’s future innovators. Our goal is to help drive economic growth across the Commonwealth by supporting the business dreams of students who have the grit, drive, and passion to be Bluegrass entrepreneurs and create jobs here,” said Anne Jewell, president and CEO of the Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs, in the release. “We’re so excited to stage KY Pitch at the Frazier History Museum. With the Frazier, we have a partner who is also committed to creating programs with a positive impact statewide, including a special focus on outreach to college students.”
The Frazier History Museum recently announced its plan to offer free memberships to every college student in Kentucky and Indiana. The KY Pitch competition will be staged in the heart of the Frazier’s Kentucky Rivalries exhibition, which spotlights the most iconic competitors and showdowns in the history of the Bluegrass State, the release continued.
“The Frazier History Museum is where the world meets Kentucky,” Frazier President and CEO Andy Treinen said in the release. “Our Kentucky Rivalries exhibition celebrates the good-natured feuds and spirited competitions that have been a key part of life in Kentucky throughout its history. As the state’s largest collegiate business pitch competition, KY Pitch fits into that tradition — a history of rivalries dating back over two hundred years.”
The KY Pitch competition is included with regular admission to the Frazier, and a special $10 ticket price is being offered in celebration of GSE’s 10th Anniversary. Guests must mention KY Pitch to receive the discounted ticket rate. Spectators will be able to come and go during the contest. The Exploratory Track will compete first, followed by the Developed Track in the afternoon.
The college teams and their business ideas slated for KY Pitch are listed below. Winners will be announced at 3:15pm. The schedule is subject to change:
Exploratory Track
10:10am - Unify, University of Louisville
10:22am - Auntie’s Soulfood and Sweets, Sullivan University 10:34am - Girly Pumps, Northern Kentucky University 10:46am - IHSA Show Manager, Midway University 10:58am - Honestly Me, Sullivan University
11:10am - FinWise, Northern Kentucky University
11:22am - Helix Headgear, Midway University
11:34am - Northern Lift, Eastern Kentucky University 11:48am - Simulation777, Morehead State University
Developed Track
1:00pm - enVee, Sullivan University
1:15pm - JAC Landcare, Northern Kentucky University
1:30pm - Farm Transition Academy, Morehead State University 1:45pm - Midwest Mulberry, University of Kentucky
2:00pm - Sonder Media, Northern Kentucky University
2:15pm - Breezy, University of Kentucky
2:30pm - Muscara Software Solutions, Northern Kentucky University
