A month of hard-fought online voting has ended and one startup has emerged victorious in the 2024 KY Inno Madness competition.
The No. 1 seed Better Blend, a growing healthy smoothie shop chain out of Northern Kentucky, is the champion of the third annual bracket-style challenge. It beat out a platform for freelancers, a muscle stimulator, a distillery experience marketplace and 31 others.
Winning 53% of the vote, Better Blend beat out its final showdown competitor BlackBox Energy Systems that's developing a motor for underwater target training.
In the final round, more than 2,000 people voted. A vote cast is meant to answer the following question: Who would you invest in?
"We are honored to be recognized as the most innovative startup in Kentucky," said Better Blend founder and CEO Isaac Hamlin in an email. "Our journey with Better Blend began with a mission to revolutionize the outdated smoothie market by offering unique flavors and unrivaled health benefits. This award is a testament to our dedication to providing healthy and delicious options to our Kentucky communities."
Based in Florence, Kentucky, Better Blend has four locations across the state, its most recent opening in the St. Matthews area in Louisville in September 2023. The St. Matthews location is owned by the husband-and-wife duo of Nick and Kelly Langford, who own the Better Blend franchise rights to the Louisville market.
Hamlin was named Kentucky Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2023 due to fast expansion and ambitions to open 1,000 stores.
"As we continue to grow, Better Blend is expanding in Northern Kentucky, Louisville, and Lexington. Over the next few years, we plan to open 7-10 locations in the state, bringing our fast, healthy, and flavorful smoothie options to more people," Hamlin said in the email.
Hamlin, who was inspired to create the chain while playing rugby at the University of Kentucky, opened the first Better Blend location in Florence in 2018 by maxing out his credit cards.
The product is a meal replacement smoothie with a balance of protein, fat, carbs, vitamins and minerals. Barista blends include coffee and the stores also carry traditional fruit-filled smoothies and superfood bowls. The company also has catering abilities and its website advertises becoming a brand ambassador, influencer or partner athlete.
At the time of winning the 2023 Inno Fire "On the Rise" Award, Hamlin said cost of living, business-friendly environment, proximity to major markets and the supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem make Kentucky and Southern Indiana a good place for company expansion.
"Better Blend's pivotal goal is to foster a happier and healthier world by providing accessible options for nutritious eating to all," Hamlin said in a Q&A after winning the award. "Our recently enlisted franchisees align with our vision and share our relentless commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of the communities they operate in."
The Langfords, the Louisville franchisees, are looking to open at least three more locations in Louisville and have considered Middletown, Norton Commons and Jeffersontown. The company is also looking to move into the Lexington area.
Last year, Feedcoyote came out on top in the competition and in 2022, it was VividCharts. This is the third year in a row the competition champion has been based out of a Kentucky city other than Louisville.
The goal of Inno Madness is to give a glimpse into some of the most promising, fast-growing companies in the region. The bracket is meant to represent the full breadth and diversity of the ecosystem and we think it's a good look early in the year for which companies to watch.
