BETHLEHEM, Pa. - StartUp Lehigh Valley is extending its entry deadline for the ultimate entrepreneur pitch competition to Friday, October 14, 2022, which gives all participants an extra week to submit their business ideas.
“StartUp Lehigh Valley is back for the 4th year bigger and better,” said Richard Thompson, founder of Factory LLC. He added that the grand prize has been increased to $20,000 with additional prizes valued at $33,000.
The event will take place at Factory, LLC, and the winner will be announced on Oct. 26.
- StartUp Lehigh Valley is a pitch competition backed by Factory LLC in Bethlehem
- Deadline for the ultimate entrepreneur pitch competition has been extended to Oct. 14 in the hope of getting more people to participate
- The grand prize is now at $20,000 with up to $33,000 in other prizes
- All participants have access to legal advice, marketing resources, mentors, grant funding opportunities and more
Thompson compared Musikfest to StartUp Lehigh Valley when it comes to bringing the community together.
“As Bethlehem is known to all for Musikfest, especially to up-and-coming bands as a great place to showcase their music, so is StartUp Lehigh Valley for budding entrepreneurs to showcase their unique business ideas,” Thompson said.
From real estate to health care, the event aims to provide local entrepreneurs with opportunities to bring their ideas to fruition.
“We’re also looking to bring people from outside the Lehigh Valley like New York, Philly, and Boston,” Thompson said, stressing that the more Lehigh Valley-specific businesses there are, the more visitors there will be.
Despite the positive outlook, Thompson pointed out an inevitable challenge: getting participants to take time and focus on everything they are working on, including sponsorship.
“Do I have time to do one more thing?” Thompson said. “This is the question we’ll keep asking.”
"I haven’t seen anyone like us who put together entrepreneurs in a meaningful way."Richard Thompson, founder of Factory LLC
The competition has received about 40 applications so far. Thompson emphasized that the company has decided to extend the entry deadline for those who are still debating whether to participate.
“All participants will get connected with Lehigh Valley LaunchBox’s resources,” Thompson noted. Legal advice, marketing resources, mentors, grant funding opportunities and other services are available to startup businesses.
“I haven’t seen anyone like us who put together entrepreneurs in a meaningful way,” Thompson said. He believes StartUp Lehigh Valley enhances economic growth in the Lehigh Valley.
The event has a maximum live audience capacity of 250 people.
For more information or to sign up, visit the StartUp Lehigh Valley site by Oct. 14.
