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Launch Ky – Idea Challenge

Turning Concepts into Companies

Have an idea that could become a business? The Launch Kentucky: Idea Challenge empowers creative thinkers, entrepreneurs, and students across South Central Kentucky to take innovative concepts and turn them into viable companies.

Hosted by CREATE: Central Region Ecosystem for Arts, Technology and Entrepreneurship, located at the WKU Innovation Campus in Bowling Green, KY, this challenge connects you with the expertise, resources, and support needed to move from idea to commercialization. Submit your Idea HERE.

To submit your idea, we will need the following:

  • Name, Address, Phone number
  • A brief NON-CONFIDENTIAL description of your project that can be shared publicly. 
  • Your idea and description.
  • The primary features and benefits.
  • Who you will market to or the customers.
  • Will the idea replace a service currently being used? If so, what service is that?
  • Why would your prospective customers need / want to purchase your product / service.
  • A description of the needs as you see them.
  • Who will be your competitors for this service/product?
  • How is your service unique?

What Is the Launch Kentucky: Idea Challenge?

The Launch Kentucky: Idea Challenge is designed to uncover and support promising, innovative and tech-enabled ideas in our region. CREATE—one of six Kentucky Innovation Hubs—provides hands-on guidance, expert insight, and access to professional services to help participants validate, refine, and advance their business ideas.

Whether you’re just getting started or exploring how your idea could work in the real world, this challenge is your entry point into Kentucky’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Who Should Apply?

We’re looking for:

  • Aspiring entrepreneurs

  • Creative thinkers and innovators

  • Students with business or technology ideas

  • Individuals with early-stage, tech-enabled concepts

Who Is Eligible?

Open to residents of the following 12 counties:

Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hancock, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Ohio, Simpson, Warren and WKU Students.

What Participants Receive

Participants will compete for professional services that may include:

  • Market research

  • Legal and patent assistance

  • Accounting and financial guidance

  • Product design and development support

  • And more

How to Submit Your Idea

CREATE knows our region is filled with potential entrepreneurs and bold ideas. This challenge is your opportunity to connect with the resources that can help you build something real.

Please complete the short application to submit your idea to the CREATE team. 

Submission Deadline: March 15 at 11:59 PM (CT)

All submissions are completely confidential!

Submit Your Idea Here
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