Compete for Funds to Pursue Your Dreams
Kentucky wants your business to succeed in the Bluegrass. We’re here to help get you started with the commonwealth’s largest intercollegiate pitch competition. Make your case for the money and experience a real-world entrepreneurial event.
Funding
Your dreams require dollars to become reality. This opportunity provides access to capital for your enterprise.
Feedback
Receive critically important input on your idea from experienced business and community leaders to help improve your plan.
Connections
Network with other collegiate entrepreneurs, instructors, and established professionals. Grow your personal entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Important Dates
December 4, 2023
Intent to Compete Due
February 2, 2024
Business Models Due
February 12, 2024
Selected Teams Announced
February 26, 2024
Pitch Deck & 90-Second Highlight Video Due
March 2, 2024
Pitch Event in Louisville, Kentucky
How It Works
Collegiate Pitch has two categories: The Exploratory Track and the Developed Track.
The Exploratory Track is for early-stage business ideas. The Developed Track is for businesses closer to being launched or already operating. Monetary prizes are awarded in both tracks. To be eligible for the prize money, businesses must be based in Kentucky as they grow over the next few years.
Take the next steps in your entrepreneurial journey:
Connect with Your Faculty Advisor
Participating colleges must have a designated faculty advisor. To enter the competition, student applications must be approved by their faculty advisor.
Apply
Make Your Pitch
Teams selected to compete are required to submit a 90-second Pitch Video and make their pitch in person during the event.
Submit Expenses for Funding
Winning teams are reimbursed for their approved expenses.
2023 Winners
Developed Track
1st Place
$15,000
Midwest Mulberry
Wholesome, novel, and sustainable fruit flavors are in high demand. With no other supplier based in the U.S., Midwest Mulberry’s berries are poised to become America’s next great superfood. We’ll provide the first mulberry supply and processing solution in Kentucky, allowing food-based businesses to incorporate sustainable, under-utilized, healthful, and delicious mulberries into their products.
2nd Place
$7,000
Aunties Soulfood and Sweets
Partnering with doctors to improve health conditions, Aunties provides affordable, healthful soul food and sweets in restaurants, to-go meals, deliveries, and catered events. Leftover food is given to houseless people. Aunties offers baking classes to teach youth and parents this important life skill, and mentors youth to grow with the company.
3rd Place
$5,000
Muscara Software Solutions
Muscara Software Solutions is a software development company that creates innovative solutions for the education industry. Our flagship product, Hall Monitor, is a cloud-based hallway management software designed to help school administrators track student activity, improve safety, and enhance overall school management.
Exploratory Track
1st Place
$5,000
Helix Headgear
Helix Headgear provides innovative wrestling headgear that delivers comfort and a quick custom fit with the simple twist of a knob instead of time-consuming and frustrating individual strap adjustments. Our “Fit with a Twist” signature tightening mechanism is a much-needed update to traditional wrestling headgear, allowing wrestlers to safely focus on performance.
2nd Place
$3,500
Girly Pumps
Girly Pumps is a safe space for women and other feminine individuals to work on their fitness goals and meet like-minded people. Offering gyms dedicated to women will encourage more women and feminine people to work outside their comfort zone and start their fitness journey. Girly Pumps empowers women to devote time to themselves and their health in a community designed for them.
3rd Place
$1,500
Honestly Me, All-Natural Skin Care
Honestly Me develops and offers wellness and skin care products that are healthy, natural, effective, and aimed at enhancing holistic health. We help our customers live healthier lives overall by setting a good example and providing positive information. Many people struggle with skin issues or have very sensitive skin. Our products address these issues and boost confidence along the way.
We’re so grateful for our supporters who make it possible for GSE’s programs to be FREE for students
Apply Now for Collegiate Pitch
There is no charge to submit your business idea. Take a chance to win funding, and gain vital real-world business experience along the way. Kentucky is rooting for you!