Pizza and a Pitch: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity

March 25, 2024
Pizza and a Pitch Flyer showing two students and text: Give us your best 2 minute business idea! April 2nd | 5:00 P.M. Union: 5122 Black Tech Center.

Union Commonwealth University is proud to announce a partnership with Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) following the award of an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) POWER Grant in October 2023. This collaboration is part of a larger initiative to foster a Technology-Focused Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Eastern Kentucky. A key highlight of this initiative is interactive and inspiring events, like the upcoming Pizza and a Pitch event, designed to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit within the university and the wider community.


Hosted by the SOAR Innovation Team, Pizza and a Pitch will be held Tuesday, April 2 at 5:00 p.m. in the Black Technology Classroom at Union Commonwealth University, and all are welcome. Combining food, fun, and innovation, the event offers a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs from the campus and community to present their business ideas or existing projects to a receptive audience. 


Here's what to expect:

  • Opportunity to Pitch: Share your business idea in a two-minute pitch to peers and professionals.
  • Networking and Growth: Beyond pitching, this event is an excellent chance for networking, gaining valuable feedback, and learning about further support opportunities from the SOAR Innovation Team.
  • Enjoy Free Pizza: Fuel your entrepreneurial journey with complimentary pizza provided at the event.
  • Win Cash Prizes: Impress the audience with your pitch, and you could win a cash prize to help bring your idea to life.

A Collaborative Effort

This initiative thrives through strong collaborations with a network of partners committed to fostering entrepreneurship across Eastern Kentucky. At the heart of SOAR’s efforts are strategic partnerships with key educational institutions like Union, ensuring inclusion of a wide spectrum of aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators.

In addition to these educational pillars, SOAR is supported by partnerships with leading organizations dedicated to the advancement of entrepreneurship, including the Appalachian Investor’s Alliance (AIA), Center on Rural Innovation (CORI), Invest 606, and KY Innovation. These collaborations are essential in providing the outreach, business space, and resources necessary for SOAR’s entrepreneurs to thrive.

Empowering Entrepreneurs


Whether you're ready to pitch your business idea or just beginning to explore the possibilities of entrepreneurship, Pizza and a Pitch is your platform for taking the next step. To participate, register here. For those not ready to pitch but seeking business support, you can connect with the SOAR Innovation team to receive tailored guidance and resources. SOAR Innovation is powered by KY Innovation.


For more information about the SOAR Innovation program on the campus of Union Commonwealth University, contact program manager Barbara Gay at barbara@soar-ky.org. To connect with the team for business support, click here.


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