Imagine having just a few minutes to pitch your business idea to a group of investors who could make your dream come true. Sound like a certain television reality show? Well, it’s going to happen in Richmond.
A “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition in Richmond on Friday, Sept. 18, will give aspiring entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their business concepts to a group of experienced local entrepreneurs and business leaders. Winners will receive cash prizes and the chance to present their business plans to the Kentucky Angel Investors Network in November.
The Richmond event will held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Central Bank, 350 W. Main St. Anyone wishing to compete should complete a registration form at https://docs.google.com/a/kyinnovation.com/forms/d/1mi0z8GA5Q4G9Uq1FKq2dQK9XyBhJLhswBkpCS89JwWY/viewform?c=0&w=1. Any others wishing to attend to learn more about Angel investing, entrepreneurship, or how they can become part of the entrepreneurial “eco-system” should e-mail their RSVP to kyinnovation@eku.edu. Similar events are scheduled across the state, or have already been held.
“These competitions are a great place to practice pitching in front of Angel Investors,” said Rick Johnson, associate vice president of the Kentucky Innovation Network. “Entrants will receive critical feedback from investors and other entrepreneurs, and meet people from their local community who will work with them to help them achieve their dreams. While there are cash prizes for the winners, the real value is that the competitors are all one step closer to a viable business.”
The competition, in its second year, is sponsored by the Kentucky Innovation Network, the Office of Entrepreneurship within the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, and the Kentucky Angel Investors Network. The Investors Network (www.kyangels.net) brings new ventures and accredited investors together via monthly online meetings, providing investors access to deals and partnerships with entrepreneurs statewide. Membership is open to those accredited investors within and outside the Commonwealth who are passionate about investing in Kentucky companies.
Consisting of 13 offices throughout the state, including one in Eastern Kentucky University’s Business and Technology Center, the Kentucky Innovation Network (www.kyinnovation.com), an initiative of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development’s Office of Entrepreneurship, offers extensive resources for small and new businesses. Forms of assistance include funding initiatives, marketing and sales assistance, small business advocacy and resource referrals, along with a variety of financial and incentive programs to encourage investment and job growth.
For additional information, contact Kristel Smith, director of the Kentucky Innovation Network-Richmond, 859-622-8571 or kristel.smith@eku.edu.