Local Entrepreneurs take off with Ignite Portsmouth
Ignite Portsmouth gives out $8,500 to Potential Entrepreneurs
Ignite Portsmouth participants took part in a 5-week bootcamp culminating in a business pitch competition on Thursday, June 24th in the Clark Memorial Library at Shawnee State University.
The 1st Annual Ignite Portsmouth: Entrepreneurial Journey Boot Camp and Pitch Competition, hosted by the Shawnee State University Kricker Innovation Hub, is officially in the books.
Eighteen teams of potential entrepreneurs began the six-week boot camp last month. There, they received support towards getting their business idea off the ground. Boot camp participants learned how to utilize the business model canvas, market their products and services, and crafted a pitch for a panel of judges on Thursday, June 24th.
“Offering programming like this is really exciting, and the next step in the development of the Kricker Innovation Hub,” said KIH Director David Kilroy. “The Hub is all about fostering the growth of startups and small businesses in our area. What better way to do that than to highlight folks with ideas for new businesses and product, and show that these ideas can become reality!”
Regional and local sponsors (The Tri State Angel Investment Group, Scioto County Commissioners, Scioto County Economic Development, Glockner Auto Mall, Burnside-Rutman Realty, Neal Hatcher, OSU South Centers Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, Tech Growth Ohio, and WesBanco) supported the event and provided cash prizes for the top five winners.
Amanda Klaiber took 5th place and $500 for her idea of an artisan lounge called ‘The Landing’. Mark Kennedy took 4th place and $500 for his idea of a financial education app called ‘The Social Ladder’. Tina Chabot took 3rd place and $1,000 with her idea of expanding the Yoga Deck LLC and its offerings of yoga, non-alcoholic beer, artisan teas, and more.
KJ Whitaker took 2nd place and $1,500 with his idea of KJ’s Custom Powder Koating. Finally, Kristy Cartee took home the grand prize of $5,000 for ‘Counting Star’s Book Lounge’ - a physical retail space that serves beverages, sells books, and hosts social activities for the community.
Kristy Cartee won the grand prize of $5,000. Now, she will pitch in front of the Tri-State Angel Investment Group for the possibility of additional funding!
“When I firsted signed up for Ignite Portsmouth, I had no idea what I was getting myself into,” said Cartee. “But now, I am so glad I did. I’m very thankful for everyone who made Ignite possible. The people I’ve met along the way have been very encouraging and I’ve gained so much knowledge. Counting Stars Book Lounge has been a dream of mine for several years. Ignite taught me the steps to turn that dream into a reality.”
“Winning this means someone believes in my idea nd believes in me...The $5,000 will be a great down payment on a location.”
Cartee will also have the privilege of pitching in front of the presenting sponsor – the Tri-State Angel Investment Group.
“I’m equally excited and nervous to take the next step and present my idea to the Tri-State Angels. To have them back me would be the ultimate dream come true!”
“It was great to see so many good ideas,” said Derrick Parker, Program Coordinator at the Hub. “Honestly, I wish we could have given prizes to all the participants. But each and every one said they were glad to go through the program. Going forward, they will still be able to connect with the Hub and get further support for their ideas.”
The Hub plans to make Ignite Portsmouth an annual event. They will also be hosting a different entrepreneurship bootcamp later this summer geared at those in the drug rehabilitation and recovery communities.
For updates on the Hub, follow their Facebook Page!
