A nonprofit dedicated to women-owned startups and small businesses announced its 2022 Launch class, which offers a 10-week course for six women entrepreneurs and ends in a Shark Tank-style pitch competition.
The six 2022 Launch business owners will create a business plan with a three-year financial projection, validated by the U.S. Small Business Administration, work with an assigned mentor and participate in networking and coaching during the 10-week program held at the NKU Collaborative in Covington.
Aviatra Accelerators hosts the Launch class, and has selected:
- Molly Hoying, owner of Vale Technologies, which takes CO2 from natural gas and converts it to a recoverable fuel
- Ann Johnston, owner of Hyde Forty-Seven; a line of patent-pending interchangeable jewelry
- Helen On and Julie Rowland, business partners of The Nail Salon Network, an app written in Vietnamese to help nail salons run more efficiently
- Abbi Rettig, owner of Tickety-Boo Treats, a manufacturer of allergen-friendly desserts to people with dietary restrictions
- Christina Kidwell, owner of Local Studio 325, a Latonia market for locally-made goods, workshops, day camps and classes for children,
At the end of the 10-week program, the entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to compete for $10,000 in funding in Aviatra’s Flight-Night pitch competition on Sept. 7 at Northern Kentucky University’s George and Ellen Rieveschl Digitorium in Griffin Hall.
“Launch is stringent and covers everything from business funding to branding and PR to hiring, team building, pricing and cash flow. Launch has been integral in helping hundreds of local women-owned businesses strategically grow,” said Nancy Aichholz, President/CEO of Aviatra Accelerators.
The winners of the 2021 Flight-Night pitch competition were Emily Bruns and Sofia Mimendi of Aclipse Campervans, and Dominique Khoury of Looqma.
