Lehigh University and Factory announce key sponsors for this year’s StartUp Lehigh Valley (SULV), a pitch competition for entrepreneurs.
Now celebrating its fifth year, the competition, which takes place Oct. 25, attracts submissions from around the region and country.
This year’s competition will be held at Factory’s headquarters in South Bethlehem from 6:30-8 p.m. and will also be broadcast and livestreamed on 69 WFMZ-TV. Submissions are now being accepted at https://www.factory-llc.com/startup-lehigh-valley.
“Entrepreneurs are people who through vision and hard work help to make the future. As part of our strategic plan - “Inspiring the Future Makers” - Lehigh seeks to support innovation and entrepreneurship in the Lehigh Valley and beyond. This work is highly aligned with our missions in research and education,” said Nathan Urban, Lehigh University provost, and senior vice president for academic affairs.
In a Shark Tank-style event designed to showcase startup companies in the Lehigh Valley community, throughout Pennsylvania and beyond, seven finalists will pitch their products and businesses to a panel of judges in front of a live and virtual audience. More than $30,000 in prize money is up for grabs, along with essential resources for startup businesses.
“The StartUp Lehigh Valley pitch competition is designed to help grow and showcase the entrepreneurship that’s already happening in the valley and getting the community excited about supporting these startups,” said Richard Thompson, founder of Factory.
This year SULV has attracted major supporters from across the region. In addition to Lehigh University and Factory LLC, Penn State Lehigh Valley, a founding partner, is showing its support this year. Other sponsors include; Ben Franklin Technology Partners, J.P Morgan Chase & Co., Lehigh Valley Health Network, WFMZ, HNL Lab Medicine, J.G Petrucci, The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, City Center Group, and United Way.
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