The University of Kentucky Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship is hosting the SPARK Ignite Pitch Competition for local residents that have an idea and/or technology/product in its early stages. Up to 10 companies/individuals from the Bluegrass region will be selected to make five-minute pitches about their concept to a panel of experienced judges. Cash prizes will be awarded to winners.
To be eligible for the competition applicants must be located in Fayette, Scott, Anderson, Franklin, Jessamine, Bourbon or Woodford counties. Individuals with an idea or an early stage company must have not have raised more than $25,000 in third party equity investment to compete. Pitch applicants must submit their application and a draft of their five-minute PowerPoint presentation by close of business on Thursday April 7. Those applicants selected to pitch will be notified by Friday, April 8.
Final PowerPoint presentations for selected pitch applicants must be submitted by email to Warren Nash, warren.nash@uky.edu, by Monday, April 11. These presentations will be downloaded onto the organizers' laptop. No other laptop devices will be allowed and there will be no changes to these presentations after April 11. You can complete the SPARK Ignite Pitch Competition application here.
The first place winner of SPARK will be awarded $1,000 with $500 being presented to the team that finishes second in the judges scoring. Pitches will be limited to five minutes, with judges Q&A to follow. The event will take place from noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 13th in the Venture Studio in the Gatton College of Business and Economics, Room 124.
If you do not want to participate in the SPARK, but still want to attend there is seating available, but it is limited. Fifty spaces are available for attendees at $10 per ticket. This fee includes lunch. The doors will close promptly at 12:15 p.m., individuals attending are asked to get there early to find a seat. To purchase tickets, visit here.
