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.
This allowed me to view my business from someone else’s perspective, and I was able to take the constructive criticism and apply it to make my business better.
The competition solidified that our business idea had value, and gave valuable guidance for the next steps. A great experience!
2024 Winners
Developed Track
1st Place
$15,000
LODE
LODE is a beverage company specializing in cannabis-infused drinks designed to emulate the flavor and effects of alcoholic beverages without a hangover. With a growing demand for non-alcoholic drinks and hemp-based products, LODE plans to capitalize on this market through their mocktail and beer lines which provide a variety of flavors.
2nd Place
$7,000
Perfect Pressure Washing
Perfect Pressure Washing provides high quality cleaning services to residential home exteriors. With plans to expand into the commercial market, Perfect Pressure Washing takes their cleaning to the next level through unique treatments and high standards that help them to rise above competitors and keep customers coming back.
3rd Place (Tie)
$3,000
Chez
Chez is a revolutionary tech platform in the culinary industry that’s building a nationwide network of passionate chefs ready to bring healthy and delicious dishes to your home. Chez tackles burnout by offering flexibility and better pay to professional chefs for a better work-life balance, along with healthy dining options for clients.
3rd Place (Tie)
$3,000
Bloom Bakery
Bloom Bakery began with a passion for baking and transformed into a flourishing business. Bloom Bakery supports economic growth by forming partnerships with other local businesses and prioritizes community service by donating to charity events. With a wide range of customizable products, Bloom Bakery hopes to be - “A small part of your big day.”
Exploratory Track
1st Place
$5,000
NanoMed Adaptive Technologies
Specializing in innovative treatments for superficial cancers, Nanomed Adaptive Technologies designed a targeted therapy skin patch with an embedded chemotherapy drug. With hopes to become a global leader in non-invasive treatments, Nanomed aspires to use their adhesive patch to provide personalized interventions that improve lives worldwide in the fight against skin cancer.
2nd Place
$3,500
SmileFile
SmileFile is an interactive portal for dental health that aims to be the first patient-centered digital software for oral healthcare. By providing a personalized portal for dental records, treatment plans and educational materials, SmileFile delivers easily accessible and understandable information to patients about their oral health, which promotes a continuation of care.
3rd Place
$1,500
R.A.M. Devices
By developing medical devices that assist the rehabilitation journey for neurological trauma patients, R.A.M. Devices hopes to increase patient motivation and provide newfound hope. R.A.M Devices provide patients with feedback and signs of improvement, offering encouragement during therapy and inspiring patients to continue treatments for better chances of lasting success.
Startup StoryTeller Award
Developed Track
$1,000
Bloom Bakery
Bloom Bakery began with a passion for baking and transformed into a flourishing business. Bloom Bakery supports economic growth by forming partnerships with other local businesses and prioritizes community service by donating to charity events. With a wide range of customizable products, Bloom Bakery hopes to be - “A small part of your big day.”
Exploratory Track
$1,000
Doza
Revolutionizing the student housing market, Doza offers convenience and transparency connecting students with affordable housing options. The platform streamlines the housing search for college students and provides a roommate finder feature and neighborhood safety ratings. Doza aims to ensure access to satisfying living accommodations for students throughout their academic journey.
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!