Global Entrepreneurship Pitch Contest selects winners

Three central Arkansas small business owners won $18,500 at the inaugural Global Entrepreneurship Week Pitch Competition produced by local Entrepreneurial Support Organizations in Central Arkansas on Tuesday (Nov. 17).

Beatrice Klokpah of Eunoia Therapy & Self Development, Keneasha Scott of K Scott Consults, and Kanesha Adams of Eduscape won cash prizes after delivering virtual pitches for a panel of judges and hundreds of onlookers.

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) hopes to remove barriers to the world of entrepreneurship. The Central Arkansas pitch competition was a collaboration between The Venture Center, The Conductor, Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, and Innovate Arkansas, all of whom formed a selection committee and selected pitch participants from a pool of regional applicants.

“We’re proud of everyone who participated in yesterday’s pitch event,” said Ashley Jones, The Venture Center’s Managing Director of Community Programs. “Today’s entrepreneurial challenges are unlike any we have ever experienced before, and strengthening our support network is essential. Yesterday’s pitch event accomplished that and more, and we look forward to working with the contestants in the months and years to come.”

“GEW has served as a catalyst for collaboration between entrepreneurial support organizations throughout our state,” said Amy Hopper, Little Rock’s GEW Community Organizer. “I anticipate that the spirit of teamwork brought forth through GEW will bring long term value to our startup community.”

The virtual contest was held for small businesses in central Arkansas and featured three categories, giving startups in all developmental stages a chance to compete. A winner was chosen from each category with prize amounts ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.

“We love any opportunity to partner with the other robust entrepreneur support organizations in our area,” said Grace Rains, Director of Operations at The Conductor, “This event provided a means to provide capital for entrepreneurs & celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week – it’s really a win-win.”

Every participant had a one-on-one coaching session with a mentor, as well as a collective group pitch workshop. During the sessions, participants and mentors practiced the fundamentals of pitching, refining their message, and mentally preparing for the live event.

Winners included:

• Audience Choice Award – $1,000 Winner: Keneasha Scott, K Scott Consults
• Category 1 – $2,500 Winner: Eduscape, Kanesha Adams
• Category 2 – $5,000 Winner: Keneasha Scott, K Scott Consults
• Category 3 – $10,000 Winner: Eunoia Therapy & Self Development, Beatrice Klokpah