The third annual StartUp Lehigh Valley pitch competition has been scheduled for Oct. 27.
During the event, 10 aspiring entrepreneurs will pitch their products and businesses to a panel of judges in front of a live and virtual audience. Finalists will have two minutes to make their pitch, and then the judges will ask questions.
The event is sponsored by Penn State Lehigh Valley’s LaunchBox, a Penn State- and community-sponsored business accelerator, in partnership with Factory, a scale-up facility and investor for food, beverage and pet brands. It will be held at Factory’s headquarters in Bethlehem and broadcast live on WFMZ-TV 69 News.
“… An idea, no matter how bright, is just an idea until an individual with talent, support — and gumption — captures, creates, packages, and successfully promotes it for profit: the entrepreneur,” Tina Richardson, Penn State Lehigh Valley chancellor, said. “They are the backbone of our workforce, the root of all business, and the reason we formed LaunchBox — to double down on our commitment to foster innovation in our region.”
The grand-prize winner will receive $5,000, and the first runner-up will receive $2,500. The Audience Choice Award winner will receive $1,000, and three LaunchBox Boost Award winners will receive $500.