The Factory LLC, a Bethlehem-based investor and operator of food, beverage, and pet health companies in Lehigh Valley, will be hosting its second annual StartUp Lehigh Valley event virtually Nov. 18 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
According to the organizer, the event brings together local business leaders, entrepreneurs, community members, angel investors, industry experts, merchants, higher education representatives, and students. The goal is to position Lehigh Valley as the innovation hub of the East Coast.
The Factory also will be holding an innovation pitch competition during the event.
To enter the competition, entrepreneurs and startup founders will present business ideas to the local community. They must incorporate Pennsylvania into their ideas and submit receipts to Lehigh Valley Launchbox before receiving prize money.
Ten finalists will present their business ideas during a virtual rapid two-minute pitch. The audience will judge the pitches via a smartphone application and select the winner.
The winner of the “Audience Award” will win $10,000 from Penn State Lehigh Valley Launchbox.
Attendance to the event is free, but pre-registration is required.
The first event was held in October 2019. Matthew Tuerk, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. vice president of Economic Development and Marketing, was one of the speakers.