Our SOAR Business and Innovation team traveled through the region on February 7 and 8, hosting day-long interactive workshops for entrepreneurs and organizations supporting startups at the Kentucky River Area Development District and Big Sandy Area Development District.

Our next two workshops are set for:

• Wednesday, March 6, 2024 I FIVCO Area Development District | Grayson
• Thursday, March 7, 2024 I Gateway Area Development District | Morehead

If you don’t see a location near you, don’t worry. Visit our Ignite Innovation page to see a complete list of dates and locations for 2024!

Let’s Ignite Something

Ignite Innovation is not a typical workshop. It’s interactive, engaging, and built around you, your ideas, and growing your existing businesses or better equipping you to take the big, bold step to launch. 

Our Business and Innovation Team are subject matter experts – they know small business is a big deal in Kentucky’s Appalachian counties. They also believe that scalable ideas can launch and grow in the region and be transformational to the region. 

Workshop topics included:

• Business Ideation 
• Let’s Get Digital 
• Understanding Your Online Presence 
• Understanding when your Business is Ready to Grow and Financial Forecasting
• Goal Setting, Scaling, Building a Pitch, Resources, and Incentives
• Team Building and Culture
• Growth: Personality Testing, Self-Awareness, and Personal Development
• Mental Health

Our Commitment to Local

Shaping Our Appalachian Region not only supports small businesses and startups with resources and support, but we also take great pride in supporting small businesses when we host events. 

Kentucky River Area Development District: Hazard Coffee Company provided breakfast and piping hot coffee, while Big Blue Smokehouse catered a delicious lunch for our Hazard event.

Big Sandy Area Development District: Dashing Sons handled our breakfast and caffeine fix in Prestonsburg, and then we enjoyed a fresh and fun lunch from Lizzy B’s. 

Want to Start A Business or Grow Your Business?

We have created the Complete Guide to Entrepreneurship for Eastern Kentucky. This guide, coupled with the support and resources of our expert team, is a great place to start. Download the guide and a member of our team will schedule a time to discuss your idea and answer any questions you may have! You may also review our Ultimate Cheat Sheet for Business Incentives and Funding Opportunities to learn more about opportunities that may be available to your business.

To learn more about how our SOAR Innovation team can help serve your business, click here. 

Contact Sabrina McWhorter, Director of Business and Innovation for more information at sabrina@soar-ky.org.