SOAR pitch competition will be Thursday

Apr. 6—ASHLAND — Students from West Carter High School will participate in the Startup Appalachian Pitch Competition, set for 6 p.m. April 11 at the Ashland Transportation Center.

Hosted by Shaping Our Appalachian Region's Business and Innovation Team, the program titled Insight Emergency Solutions will include Corey Shepherd with students Abby Daniel, Claire Holbrook and Rylyn Rayburn. Insight Emergency Solutions aims to reduce emergency incident response times by providing 3D virtual structural models to first responders, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency planning.

Open to the public with no admission charge, the event allows participants to win money and make connections, Sabrina McWhorter, director of business and innovation for SOAR, said.

The first place winner will receive $10,000; second place will get $3,500; and third will win $1,500. A panel of experts will judge. In addition, one team will win $500 for crowd favorite.

"The first place winner will present their idea at the annual SOAR summit," McWhorter said, noting there is not a date set yet for the summit, but it usually occurs in October.

Anyone from one of the 54 Appalachian Regional Commission Kentucky counties can enter, McWhorter said. After eligibility has been established, hopefuls are evaluated by a board and narrowed down to six or seven. Applications were taken in October. Finalists learned of their positions in January and, since then, have prepared a seven-minute pitch and will be given three minutes to answer questions.

Attendees will get the chance to win prizes by playing a trivia program.

"It's just a really fun time, great networking opportunities and our judges area top notch," McWhorter said.

Other participants include:

* Cynthia Main of Berea owns Sunhouse Craft, a sustainable artisan manufacturing business. Specializing in traditional craft techniques, Sunhouse Craft creates hand-made brooms and wooden wares, sourcing materials locally to support regional farmers and promote a thriving, local economy.

* Founded by Stephen and Maggie Prosser in Hazard, Hazard Coffee Co. is a specialty coffee shop and roastery. Using a data-driven approach, they offer high-quality coffee while creating a welcoming space dedicated to community.

* As an additive manufacturing engineer and Manchester native, Eric Sparks envisions Kentucky as an advanced manufacturing hub. Through Complet3D, he helps professionals succeed in the additive manufacturing world, providing strategic advice, selling 3D printers and maintaining the technology.

* Founded by Joana Amorim and Michael Beck, Sylvatica Forest Farm is a hub for forest farming, herbalism and land stewardship in eastern Kentucky. Operating a Herbal CSA, a tree nursery, a mushroom farm, and an Apothecary, Joana and Michael bring over a decade of experience in permaculture and regenerative farming to their community.

* Aaron Floyd is integral to the company's operations, overseeing everything from DAAD Distilling Company's complete operations to expanding its media presence. Floyd benefited from 10 years of mentorship in the bourbon-whiskey industry. Floyd works on enhancing DAAD's brand awareness to foster the company's growth and development.

* A 3D printing technology-based company bringing affordability to your toolbox, Tool Printing Technologies offers universal and custom organizers for any size toolbox or workbench through the process of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). Owned by Nicholas "Kyle" Collett, the Pineville business on West Highway 92, the small family business is trying to expand the public knowledge of everyday tools and organization all across the country.

(606) 326-2661 — lward@dailyindependent.com