Elizabethtown to Host Entrepreneur Pitch Competition

Commonwealth of Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Old Capitol Annex 300 West Broadway Frankfort, KY 40601
Contact Joe Hall 502.564.4886Rick Johnson Kentucky Innovation Network 859.246.3231

Entrepreneur Pitch Competition Coming to Elizabethtown

Winners will receive cash prizes to start their businesses; gain access to angel investors

 FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 16, 2014) – Aspiring entrepreneurs in central Kentucky will have the opportunity to make their dreams of starting a business come true.

Entrepreneurs will participate in a business pitch competition in Elizabethtown. Participants will have 10 minutes to present their business idea to a group of potential angel investors, individuals who provide capital for startup companies. Winners will receive cash prizes and the opportunity to present their plans to the entire Kentucky Angel Investors Network (Kentucky Angels) in Frankfort.

“This is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to network with potential investors,” said Mandy Lambert, acting commissioner of business development at the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. “Kentucky has a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and we want to expose more people to investment opportunities throughout the state.”

The competition is Thursday, June 19, at the Brown-Pusey House on West Main Street from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Future events will take place in Richmond, Covington, Lexington and Louisville later this summer. Previous competitions have been held in Ashland, Pikeville and Murray.

The event is sponsored by the Office of Entrepreneurship within the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, along with the Kentucky Angels Network and the Kentucky Innovation Network.

“With an active local venture group, this is an excellent opportunity to expand our investor network as well as educate our members and potential members about statewide deal flow and opportunities,” said Lisa Williams, director of the Kentucky Innovation Network Office in Elizabethtown. “Local startups and the general public are encouraged to attend this fun networking event.”

Register for the competition here or learn more at kyinnovation.com.

Last year, the Cabinet successfully launched the Kentucky Angels Network. Kentucky Angels brings new ventures and accredited investors together via monthly online meetings, providing investors access to form deals and partnerships with entrepreneurs statewide. Membership is open to those accredited investors in and outside the state who are passionate about investing in Kentucky companies. To learn more about Kentucky Angels, visit www.kyangels.net.

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The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state agency in Kentucky responsible for encouraging new jobs and investment in the state. New capital investment announced in Kentucky in 2013 totaled more than $3.3 billion, spurring more than 14,000 projected new jobs. Information on available industrial properties, workforce development assistance, incentive programs, community profiles, small business development and other economic development resources is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.