ASHLAND, Ky. (August 5, 2015) – The latest winner of the Kentucky Innovation Network regional entrepreneur pitch competition is in, and it's a product intended to keep home intruders out.
Door Force 1 earned first place at KIN's latest pitch competition in Ashland on Tuesday. Company representatives pitched their creative ideas to a panel of judges and were awarded a $1,000 cash prize and an invitation to present to the Kentucky Angel Investors Network in Frankfort this fall.
"Congratulations to Door Force 1 on its first place win in the Ashland pitch competition," said Mick Fosson, director of the Kentucky Innovation Network office in Ashland. "All four teams did a great job presenting their innovative ideas, technologies and business models to the judges, who made the very difficult decision about who received the top award. As these entrepreneurs grow their companies, they will provide superb examples of what can be accomplished here in Kentucky."
Door Force 1 is an easy-to-install home security product that keeps intruders out of a person's home by acting as a door stop from inside the home and not allowing the door to open. If a door has a large amount of force being used against it, Door Force 1 is also able to shut the door by snapping into place with its ratchet-like leg. To find out more about the product, visit www.doorforce1.com or www.facebook.com/Doorforce1.
"The Door Force 1 team would like to thank the Kentucky Innovation office in Ashland and the Kentucky Angel Investors Network for hosting these pitch events statewide," said Marty Myers, Door Force 1 partner. "This allows the creative and innovative entrepreneurs of Kentucky to shine. We look forward to using the direction and guidance of the Kentucky Innovation Network to achieve our goal of making every home and business safe from invasion."
Ashland's pitch competition was the latest in a series of 11 events being held throughout the state. Other regional contests are scheduled in London, Pikeville, Murray, Elizabethtown, Richmond and Paducah. Earlier this summer, Covington, Lexington, Morehead and Louisville held regional competitions.
The pitch competition, which is in its second year, is sponsored by the Kentucky Innovation Network, the Office of Entrepreneurship within the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and the Kentucky Angel Investors Network. For more information on the competition, visit kyinnovation.com.
The Kentucky Angel Investors Network brings new ventures and accredited investors together via monthly online meetings, providing investors access to form deals and partnerships with entrepreneurs statewide. Membership is open to those accredited investors in and outside the state who are passionate about investing in Kentucky companies. To learn more, visit www.kyangels.net.
Consisting of 13 offices throughout the state, the Kentucky Innovation Network offers extensive resources for small and new businesses. Assistance can range from funding initiatives, marketing and sales assistance, small business advocacy and resource referrals, along with a variety of financial and incentive programs to encourage investment and job growth. All services are provided free of charge.
The Kentucky Innovation Network is an initiative of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development's Office of Entrepreneurship. The goals of the Office of Entrepreneurship are to develop an entrepreneurial climate in Kentucky, provide guidance and support to startups and assist existing small businesses with growth opportunities. To learn how the Kentucky Innovation Network is helping create and grow Kentucky's small businesses, visit www.kyinnovation.com.
Information on Kentucky's economic development efforts and programs is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ThinkKentucky or follow on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ThinkKentucky. Watch the Cabinet's "This is My Kentucky" video on YouTube.
The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state agency responsible for encouraging new jobs and investment in the state. New capital investment announced in Kentucky in 2014 totaled a state record $3.7 billion, spurring more than 15,000 projected new jobs. The Commonwealth also received Site Selection magazine's nationally acclaimed Governor's Cup for most economic development projects per capita last year. Information on available industrial properties, workforce development assistance, incentive programs, community profiles, small business development and other economic development resources is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.