LONDON, Ky. (August 20, 2015) – If you've ever damaged your iPhone or iPad, you've probably wished an easy fix was available. Thanks to the latest Kentucky Innovation Network regional competition winner, there now is.
StopGap Solutions took first place in the latest innovation network's pitch competition in London this week. The company received $1,000 and an invitation to pitch its product to the Kentucky Angel Investors Network in Frankfort this fall.
StopGap's primary service is bridging the gap for cell phone users who damage their phone but are still under contract with their mobile service provider. The company provides reliable, expert service to repair iPhones and iPads at low cost, and also provides screens and other parts to those who prefer to make the repairs themselves. To learn more about StopGap, visit www.istopgap.com.
"The rural nature of our service area doesn't lend itself to large concentrations of new startups, so it's very exciting to see the pitch competition act as a magnet to attract great new companies from across the region," said Bill Schutters, director of the Kentucky Innovation Network office in London. "All of the entrants are Innovation Network clients who sought our assistance as a result of the comprehensive marketing that the Network makes available to us."
"I started working with the Kentucky Innovation Network office in London about one year ago on developing my business, and I can honestly say that without them I may have given up. They helped guide me through the process which allowed me to get to the point of being able to give a successful pitch," said Brent Jackson of StopGap. "The actual competition was a lot of fun for many reasons as well. Everything that I was able to learn from my fellow competitors, the judges and speakers will be taken back to apply to my business model. As for winning, I am very humbled to have won and appreciated the opportunity to present. It gives all the hard work validity and that is exactly what I was looking for."
London's pitch competition was the latest in a series of 11 events being held throughout the state. Other regional contests are scheduled in Pikeville, Murray, Elizabethtown, Richmond and Paducah. Earlier this summer, Covington, Lexington, Morehead, Louisville and Ashland held regional competitions.
The next regional pitch contest will be held at the University of Pikeville College of Business at 118 College Street in Pikeville. The competition will be held on Sept. 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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.