KY Pitch, Kentucky’s largest collegiate business pitch competition, announced awards for several young companies around the state.
The pitch competition was hosted this week by the Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs at the Frazier History Museum. According to a news release, it featured Kentucky’s future innovators and business leaders competing for tens of thousands of dollars in funding. KY Pitch included 16 teams representing colleges from across the commonwealth that pitched their business ideas and fielded questions from a panel of judges.
The Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs 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. To be eligible for the prize money, businesses must be based in Kentucky as they grow over the next few years.
Here's a look at the companies that received awards and where they are based:
Exploratory Track
- First - Helix Headgear, Midway University - $5,000
- Second - Girly Pumps, Northern Kentucky University - $3,500
- Third - Honestly Me, Sullivan University - $1,500
Developed Track
- First - Midwest Mulberry, University of Kentucky - $15,000
- Second - Aunties Soulfood and Sweets, Sullivan University - $7,000
- Third - Muscara Software Solutions, Northern Kentucky University - $5,000
The Startup Storyteller Award (best 2-minute pitch video):
- Exploratory Winner - FinWise, Northern Kentucky University - $1,000
- Exploratory Track, Runner-up - IHSA Show Manager , Midway University - $500
- Developed Track – Winner - Sonder Media, Northern Kentucky University - $1,000
- Developed Track - Runner-Up - Midwest Mulberry, University of Kentucky - $500
If pitch competitions are your thing, check out this story about Render Competition now accepting applications.
That event, now in its fourth year, looks to provide funding for early-stage startups in the Louisville metro area, while also drawing the attention of entrepreneurs from other places to the area as they look to scale their operations. Up to eight winners will be given $100,000 in investment funding, in addition to other benefits and resources.
