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.
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.