After beginning on Feb. 29 with 32 teams in our 2024 KY Inno Madness competition, only four remain in the running for regional bragging rights within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
In Region A, No. 8-seeded Dais proved again that they deserved a much higher seeding by defeating fellow Louisville startup No. 3 Limitless Minds after receiving 55% of the vote.
Dais will face No. 1 Better Blend from Covington, Kentucky, after the healthy smoothie store startup got the better of No. 7 Craftech Innovations by taking home 55% of the vote as well in the Region C final.
On the other side of the bracket in Region B, No. 3 Rivergreen Cocktails claimed a spot in the semifinals by defeating No. 4 HempWood from Murray, Kentucky, by capturing 54% of the vote.
Rivergreen, a gin-based ready-to-drink (RTD) product, will take on No. 7 BlackBox Energy Systems. The Owingsville, Kentucky-based startup defeated No. 1 seed in Region D, Liberate Medical, by getting 56% of the vote. Keep in mind that it was BlackBox that defeated No. No. 2 Armadillo Home Solutions from Clarksville, Indiana, in a tie-breaker in first round.
With the semifinalists set, we can now say that two of them (Dais and Rivergreen Cocktails) were honorees in our 2024 KY Inno Startups to Watch. Furthermore, Better Blend was picked as one of our 2023 KY Inno Fire honorees in the "On the Rise" category.
Who will make it to the finals? That decision rests in your hands, as voting for semifinals is NOW OPEN.
Voting will close on Tuesday, March 26, at 11:59 a.m. To help you prepare for the next round of voting, we have included information about each company below.
Meet the remaining players
Better Blend (Covington, Kentucky) — A healthy smoothie shop chain that has begun to expand across Kentucky and beyond. The store’s signature “blends” are made with clean protein, greens, oat powder, flax seed and vitamins.
Rivergreen Cocktails (Louisville) — The premium, canned cocktails are made with real fruit juices, natural sweeteners and sparkling water. With an alcohol beverage volume (ABV) of 12%, they are crafted to taste like a cocktail you would order at a bar or restaurant, but offer the convenience of a can.
BlackBox Energy Systems (Owingsville, Kentucky) — The startup is developing NEMo (Nautical Electric Motor), which is described as being a more efficient motor for an underwater training target. The company’s patented motor technology has proven to be more efficient across a wider range of power levels than traditional motors. In addition, it is smaller, lighter and uses up to 80% less copper to create the same level of power.
Dais (Louisville) — Dais is the first application and web-based platform that provides on-demand, wheelchair-accessible and adaptive rideshare services exclusively for power or manual wheelchair users and individuals with limitations in mobility.
