Celebrating Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Thank you to all who attended the 2024 Startup Appalachia Pitch Competition at the Ashland Train Depot. It was a day marked by innovation and Appalachian entrepreneurial spirit.

Meet Our 2024 Winner: Complet3D

Firstly, a big congratulations to Complet3D, led by Eric and Cindy Sparks, who earned the winner’s title this year, and the $10,000 grand prize! Complet3D has set the bar high with its innovative approach to 3D printing technology, promising to revolutionize how professionals in various fields utilize this transformative tech.

    

Cindy and Eric Sparks | Complet3D | Corbin

Complet3D helps professionals leverage additive manufacturing to be more effective at their craft. The team gives strategic advice, sells machines, and maintains the 3D printers – just like the Xerox copier model. The technology is still new so they help customers get started and maintain their success. Professionals can save money, time, and in some cases – lives, using additive manufacturing.

Learn more about the business here. Watch the winning pitch on YouTube.

Second Place Winner and Crowd Favorite

Corey Shepherd, Abby Daniel, Claire Holbrook, and Rylyn Rayburn |  Insight Emergency Solutions | Olive Hill

This year’s crowd favorite went to Insight Emergency Solutions, an entrepreneurial team from West Carter High School. They also took home the 2nd place prize, leaving with $4,000 in prize winnings! Their dedication to enhancing safety and efficiency in critical situations, especially within schools, certainly captured the hearts and minds of both attendees and our online audience. 

Watch their pitch on YouTube.

Third Place

Cynthia Main | Sunhouse Craft | Berea

Sunhouse Craft, led by Cynthia Main and based in Berea, Kentucky, captured third place at the 2024 Startup Appalachia Pitch Competition, leaving with $1,500. This artisanal business focuses on sustainable, handcrafted brooms and wooden wares, emphasizing local sourcing and traditional craftsmanship. Their approach supports the local economy and revives heritage craft techniques, distinguishing them in the competition.

Watch Cynthia’s pitch on YouTube.

Recognition and Experience for All Finalists

While not all finalists placed in the top spots, each non-placing finalist still walked away with $500 and valuable experience. This reward recognizes their hard work and dedication to innovation. The competition also provided all participants with the opportunity to gain exposure, receive feedback from industry experts, and connect with a network of fellow entrepreneurs and potential investors, setting a solid foundation for their future endeavors.

We’d like to recognize all of our finalists:

• Joana Amorim and Michael Beck | Sylvatica Forest Farm | Mt Vernon
• Aaron Floyd | DAAD Distilling | Lancaster
• Stephen and Maggie Prosser | Hazard Coffee Company | Hazard
• Cynthia Main | Sunhouse Craft | Berea
• Corey Shepherd, Abby Daniel, Claire Holbrook, and Rylyn Rayburn |  Insight Emergency Solutions | Olive Hill
• Eric and Cindy Sparks | Complet3D | Corbin

You can learn more about all of our finalists here. 

Meet the Judges

Lisa Bajorinas | Executive Director | Kentucky Innovation Hubs, KSTC

Learn more about Lisa here. 

Natalie Heighton | Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer | Community Trust Bank

Learn more about Natalie here.

Kevin Halter | Chief Executive Officer | Bon Secours Kentucky Health System

Learn more about Kevin here.

Acknowledging Our Sponsors

We extend our gratitude to our sponsors: Community Trust Bank, KY Innovation, and Ale-8, whose support was vital in making this event such a success! Thanks also to Visit AKY for their hospitality, and the Ashland Train Depot for providing the perfect venue and backdrop for our big event.

Special Thanks

Our thanks go to The Balloon Man for helping to create a fun atmosphere for the night, Fat Patty’s for the delicious local food, BT Media for handling our production logistics, and PikeTV for broadcasting the competition.

In the Media

You can watch the full event recording here. 

Read about the event in the Daily Independent.

Watch the full playlist on YouTube.

Want to Start a Business or Grow Your Existing Business

There’s no need to wait until next year’s pitch competition. Our Business and Innovation Team, powered by KY Innovation, works every day helping people turn their dreams into a reality. 

Here’s how you can get started. 

• Download our Complete Guide to Entrepreneurship for Eastern Kentucky. 
• From there, we’ll schedule a time to discuss your idea and business. 
• We’ll work with you on identifying the next steps and support you along the way. 

All of our services are FREE thanks to the support of KY Innovation and SOAR’s network of corporate partners. 

Meet Our Past Winners

2023 | TJ Rayhill | Bluegrass Crickets

Last year, TJ Rayhill, creator and owner of Bluegrass Crickets took home a $10,000 grand prize.

TJ is passionate about going against the crowd. Opening a bookstore at 19 years old and launching a food truck, a gift shop, and a restaurant has led down a path to launching Bluegrass Crickets, Kentucky’s First Commercial Cricket Farm.

Bluegrass Crickets raises organic crickets for the bait and feed industry and looks soon to produce crickets for human consumption.

You can watch the entire 2023 Startup Appalachia Pitch Competition HERE.

2022 | Dakota Hoskins | Safari Solutions

In 2022, 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. 

2021 | Billy Brown | Walleye Solutions

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 the 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. 

2020 | Chelsey Mayse | Tipper Valley Farms 

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.

2019 | Robin Mason | Tree of the Field

In 2019, Tree of the Field claimed first place in our first-ever Startup Appalachia Pitch Competition. The Madison County-based agri-tech 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. 

For More Information

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

SOAR Innovation is powered by KY Innovation.