CINCINNATI (Feb. 19, 2024) – Main Street Ventures (MSV), the local nonprofit that provides equity-free funding to entrepreneurs and startups throughout the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region, announced today the winners of the 2024 Launch It: Cincy pitch competition, sponsored by Kao USA Inc.
Launch It: Cincy is exclusively for undergraduate student founders in the Greater Cincinnati region. The top three winners of the pitch competition receive a unique prize package valued at more than $28,000 that empowers them to experience the region, learn from experts and build their businesses. MSV awards each winning team with a grant and the opportunity to spend the summer living, working and exploring Cincinnati. They will also have access to office space, mentoring, finance support, and other resources to help grow their business ideas.
The 2024 Launch It: Cincy pitch competition was held on Feb. 16 at Union Hall during which five student teams from Miami University, University of Cincinnati and University of Dayton pitched their companies to a panel of esteemed judges.
“We are inspired and energized by the innovation and talent we have seen from student entrepreneurs in our region,” said Sean Parker, executive director of Main Street Ventures. “The future of our startup community is dependent upon the great ideas and business savvy coming out of the next generation of entrepreneurs. We look forward to hosting these teams this summer as they continue to build their businesses and learn from key figures in Cincinnati’s startup community while experiencing all of the great things that Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky have to offer.”
The three businesses that will be participating in the Launch It: Cincy Summer Program Powered by Kao USA Inc. are:
• PhizzIO is a B2B platform providing software services to physiotherapy centers to enhance treatment quality and patient experience with the treatment. (University of Cincinnati)
• The Recipe Book is an app that brings homestyle cooking just a little closer to home. (University of Dayton)
• Silux is a luxury silicone ring brand with multiple designs, shapes, and sizes for women who have had a change in weight due to pregnancy or health issues and/or have hands-on jobs and hobbies where metal rings would put them at risk for finger injuries. (Miami University)
“We are excited to partner with Main Street Ventures for the third year in a row to empower local entrepreneurs and bolster our region’s startup ecosystem,” said Lindsay Stricker, New Technology Innovator A/EMEA Cross Sector for Kao USA Inc. “Kao understands the importance of small businesses, innovative ideas and retaining top talent in our region, and we look forward to seeing all that these entrepreneurs learn and accomplish.”
The Launch It: Cincy program helps participants make the transition from students to business owners. Last year’s winners included VaLanDria Smith-Lash whose sustainable skincare company, Coarse Culture, was featured in Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator Program and is now being sold nationally; Connor Paton whose software amenity, noshable, allows property managers to offer grocery concierge services to guests at short-term rentals and is currently offering demos; and Camryn Ellis who founded RYN, a mobile styling app that utilizes technology to help users style themselves using their own wardrobe, which is currently in the beta testing phase with plans to launch to the public later this year. RYN landed on Cincinnati Business Courier’s list of top startups to watch in 2024 while Smith-Lash and Paton were included in the publication’s 2023 Inno Under 25 list.
Since 2018, Main Street Ventures has distributed equity-free funding in the form of grants to 164 companies, totaling nearly $3.5 million. In addition to grant funding, recipients receive programming support in the form of workshops, advisement from key players in the local startup ecosystem, and more business development resources.
For more information about Launch It: Cincy, visit mainstventures.org/launch-cincy.
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About Main Street Ventures
Main Street Ventures, recipient of the 2023 Cincy Inno “Catalyst” Fire Award, is the greater Cincinnati region’s small business and entrepreneur support organization that provides financial capital in the form of grants and community connections to emerging businesses with the potential to create jobs and vibrant communities. Since 2018, Main Street Ventures has distributed nearly $3.5 million to more than 160 companies across the region. With this community investment, Main Street Ventures strives to ensure the region is a good home for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Grants are made possible, in part, due to funding support from Ohio Third Frontier, the Hubert Family Foundation, the McDonald Family Foundation, The P&G Fund, Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trust, and Northern Kentucky Entrepreneurship Fund in collaboration with Blue North and Horizon Community Funds.
About Kao USA
Kao USA Inc. is a leading manufacturer of premium beauty care brands that are recognized around the world for their innovation and quality. The Kao USA Inc. portfolio includes; Jergens® and Curél® hand and body lotions; Bioré® facial care; John Frieda® hair care, Ban® antiperspirants, as well as Goldwell, KMS and Oribe professional hair care and Molton Brown products for body and home. Founded in 1882, Kao USA Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kao Corporation.
