Three Small Business Owners Victorious in Central Arkansas Pitch Competition

Three central Arkansas small business owners won a collective $18,500 at the inaugural Global Entrepreneurship Week Pitch Competition produced by local entrepreneurial support organizations in Central Arkansas. 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 excited onlookers.

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

The chamber is proud to be a partner sponsor of this event, along with Arvest Bank, Frost, PLLC, Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP and Arkansas Money & Politics.

“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,” says 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.” 

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

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. Overall, $18,500 was awarded to Central Arkansas small businesses. 

Every participant benefitted from 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. 

List of Winners

Audience Choice Award - $1,000 Winner: K Scott Consults, Keneasha Scott

Category 1 - $2,500 Winner:  Eduscape, Kanesha Adams

Category 2 - $5,000  Winner: K Scott Consults, Keneasha Scott

Category 3 - $10,000 Winner: Eunoia Therapy & Self Development, Beatrice Klokpah

 

To learn more about the GEW Pitch Event, visit venturecenter.co/gew-pitch.

 

About The Venture Center

The Venture Center is a globally-recognized, Arkansas-based entrepreneurial support organization (ESO) that helps entrepreneurs turn their startups into viable, high-growth businesses. By leveraging the expertise of a world-class team of mentors, intensive programming and introductions to the investor community, The Venture Center serves as an engine for economic growth in Arkansas and beyond.  

 

About the Conductor

The Conductor, a public-private partnership with the University of Central Arkansas and Startup Junkie, drives innovation, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in Central Arkansas through high-impact programming, one-on-one consulting, commercialization support, talent development, collaboration, and maker training and rapid prototyping in UCA’s Makerspace, which is free-of-charge to students and the community.