Across the country, small businesses and entrepreneurs are still facing challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, innovations and solutions are continuously being proposed and developed.
This contest is open to any Kentucky entrepreneur!
This means any student, graduate, individual with an idea, or currently registered company located in the state. Companies and/or ideas are not limited to solutions around the pandemic, but could be. Total prize money for this contest is $15,000.
Companies and individuals from across the Commonwealth are encouraged to apply. Winners from the previous year are not eligible to compete. Click here to read about the winning startups from 2020. All applicants must register with their intent to compete, and a full application will be emailed to you.
Companies or individuals that have already raised more than $50,000 in equity will not qualify for this contest. The Top 5 applicants will be selected as finalists to compete via Zoom on Friday, July 23rd from 10:00am-5:00pm EST. No modifications or exceptions will be made for any applicant that cannot present during this window. No companies/ideas outside the state of Kentucky will be eligible.
Key Deadlines
April 16 (Fri) – applications open*
July 1 (Fri) – applications close 5pm EST
July 16 (Fri) – Top 5 Finalists announced**
July 23 (Fri) – Virtual StartUp Contest Pitches (10:00am-5:00pm EST)
July 30 (Fri) – Winners Announced
*Winners from the previous year are not eligible to compete.
**All teams that did not make it into the Top 5 will be notified via email. All finalists must confirm their commitment to pitch no later than 5pm on Monday, July 19th. Any finalist that does not confirm their participation will be eliminated from the Top 5, and the next highest scoring applicant will be contacted.
If you have questions, please email Christine Wildes at christine.wildes@uky.edu