Do you have Appalachia Kentucky’s next big idea?

We want to hear it… and we want to fund it. 

That’s why we’ve opened the application for the 2023 Startup Appalachia Pitch Competition, presented by Community Trust Bancorp. The premier event of creators in Appalachia Kentucky will take place on June 15th at Morehead State University.

Thanks to the generosity of Community Trust Bancorp, we will award nearly $20,000 in cash prizes with first-place taking home $10,000. 

The application deadline had been extended to May 15th. We know that applying for a pitch competition can be a little intimidating. It doesn’t have to be and we are here to help.

You can apply HERE.

Everyone’s a Winner

While there are three cash winners, every applicant to the Startup Appalachia Pitch Competition will receive coaching from SOAR’s Business and Innovation team. 

And it doesn’t end there. 

Our team members, appropriately called Champions, begin to identify challenges. Just as important, we identify and seize opportunities. 

This includes:

• Coaching and Mentoring
• Direct Services such as:
  • Website 
  • E-Commerce
  • Email and Digital Marketing
  • Business Planning
  • Accounting
• Referrals to Technical Assistance Providers and their subject-matter experts

We’re with you from the time you land and launch — and beyond!

And if you are named a finalist, you’ll automatically take home $500. 

Past Winners

Last year, Dakota Hoskins, creator and owner of Safari Solutions took home a $10,000 grand prize. As a car wash technology startup, Hoskins developed a unique and affordable barcode system for operators to implement to increase profits and marketing reach. Since the pitch, Dakota has participated in the AWESOME Inc 5 Across Pitch Competition, and represented Eastern Kentucky at the Small Towns, Big Ideas Virtual Pitch Competition presented by CORI. 

You can watch the entire 2022 Startup Appalachia Pitch Competition HERE. 

Our Startup Appalachia Pitch Competition winner for 2021 was Walleye Solutions. This Lincoln County startup provides aesthetically pleasing cable pass through wall ports that allow cords, cables, and plugs to pass freely through a wall. Owner, Billy Brown, was able to invest his winnings into equipment needed for in-house manufacturing of his product, which helped lower his overall product  cost. Their standard products can be found on their website, Walmart, and Amazon. 

You can watch the entire 2021 Startup Appalachia Pitch Competition HERE. 

Our 2020 winner was Tipper Valley Farms. The Rowan County Appalachian Proud farm produces all-natural products with their free-range goat’s milk. They combine this with selected oils and formulations with sensitive skin in mind and contain no unnecessary, harmful, or harsh chemicals, additives, preservatives, or dyes. Check out their online store HERE.

In 2019, Tree of the Field claimed first place in our first-ever Startup Appalachia Pitch Competition. The Madison County-based agritech business continues to grow, recently launching a bourbon-scented Skeeterlog. You don’t have to look far to find their Skeeterlog and handmade chimineas. If you do, no worries.  They have an online store. 

Connecting to Capital

SOAR’s team works with startups and existing businesses through the support of KY Innovation. Our approach is personal and direct, providing clients with resources to launch or scale an existing business. 

This is done through a variety of direct services. 

• Business Planning
• Website Development
• E-Commerce Implementation
• Digital Media Services
• Google Services
• Systems for Success

While finalists pitch for a cash prize, we work to create additional funding opportunities for each business. 

For more information

Got questions? Contact Sabrina McWhorter, Director of Business and Innovation, at sabrina@soar-ky.org.