BETHLEHEM, Pa. — StartUp Lehigh Valley, a pitch competition for entrepreneurs, plans to celebrate its fifth annual contest on Oct. 25 at Factory LLC in South Bethlehem, the business incubator announced Tuesday in a written statement.
The contest, a partnership between Lehigh University and Factory, is an opportunity for startup companies to showcase their best ideas in the hope of winning funding and startup services.
- The 5th annual StartUp Lehigh Valley will be from 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 25 at Factory LLC in South Bethlehem
- Applications are open and accessible by visiting the Application to Pitch page
- Applications close Sept. 22, after which seven finalists will pitch their products at the event
Applicationsare open now through Sept. 22 and more information is available at startuplehighvalley.com
The grand prize is $20,000. Two runners-up will win $3,000 and $2,000, respectively. Live and virtual audiences also will vote for the winner of a $1,000 Audience Choice award.
Additionally, the Launch Box at the Pennsylvania State University Lehigh Valley campus, an "innovation space" that offers programs and resources free to all Pennsylvania residents or businesses, will give three $500 awards and provide resources to the winners.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania also will present a $5,000 award to the top early-stage technology-based firm.
"The wide variety of entrepreneurs and products coming out of this competition in the past have been innovative and interesting."Lehigh University Provost Nathan Urban.
The "Shark Tank"-style event showcases startup companies in the Lehigh Valley, throughout Pennsylvania and beyond.
After the application process closes, seven finalists will pitch products and businesses to a panel of judges in front of live and virtual audiences.
