Which great new businesses will be discovered in Kentucky this year? We’re about to find out. Back by popular demand, Gov. Steve Beshear has announced the Kentucky Innovation Network will host its second annual entrepreneur pitch competitions during the next four months.
Similar to the hit television show “Shark Tank,” these competitions will feature Kentucky entrepreneurs presenting their business ideas to a group of local angel investors, individuals who provide capital for startup companies. Winners will receive cash prizes and the opportunity to present their business plans to the entire Kentucky Angel Investors Network (Kentucky Angels) in November.
“There are so many great ideas throughout the Commonwealth,” said Gov. Beshear. “The competition will help bring those visions to life in the form of real businesses. I can’t wait to see more companies being formed and more jobs created as a result of these events.”
This year, the Kentucky Innovation Network will host 11 regional competitions including one in Morehead. It will be held Thursday, June 18, at the Innovation Launchpad, 149 East Main Street, from 5-7 p.m. The event will be open to entrepreneurs from Montgomery, Rowan, Bath, Nicholas, Fleming, Mason, Morgan, Menifee and Wolfe counties.
“The success of last year’s pitch competitions exceeded our expectations, and we expect even bigger things this year,” said Mandy Lambert, commissioner of business development at the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. “Small businesses are job creators and the backbone of Kentucky’s economy. This is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to network with potential investors and get their businesses off the ground. We want to expose more people to investment opportunities right here in the Commonwealth.”
The competition is sponsored by the Kentucky Angel Investors Network and the Kentucky Innovation Network, which is operated by the Office of Entrepreneurship within the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.
Visit kyinnovation.com/pitch to learn more and register.
Contact Johnathan Gay of the Kentucky Innovation Network office at Morehead State University for details related to the Morehead pitch competition at 859-797-5759.
Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.
Information on the Innovation Launchpad can be found at www.InnovationLaunchpad.Rocks.
