Vogt Awards
The Community Foundation of Louisville’s Vogt Invention & Innovation Awards offers entrepreneurs in the Louisville region a unique and exciting opportunity to take their businesses to the next level. Each year, up to six early-stage businesses receive $25,000 in non-dilutive grant funding, participation in a 10-week startup accelerator program, coaching, mentorship, strategic introductions, and recognition, all designed to boost the growth of their business. Unlike other business accelerator programs, the Vogt Awards allows founders to retain full ownership of their businesses.
Vogt Awards Demo Day is the culmination of the intensive, 10-week Vogt Invention and Innovation Awards accelerator program. Join the Community Foundation of Louisville for Vogt Awards Demo Day at 5:30 p.m. on October 10 at the Kentucky Derby Museum. During this free event, six dynamic founders will take center stage to showcase their big ideas and innovative solutions in AI technology, food security, solar energy, feminine hygiene, job searching, and mentorship. They’ll share how their pioneering businesses are impacting the local, regional, and national business community.
Registration is required as space is limited.
Get Acquainted with EchoJobs
Finding the right job can be a challenge, even for software engineers. Morgan Gao founded EchoJobs to make the job search process easier and more efficient. The search platform matches job seekers with job openings by allowing candidates to filter opportunities based on their preferences.
“There was no tool to just take my preferences and give me all the jobs that matched my search criteria, such as the type of technology I wanted to work with, geographic location, seniority, and the kind of company I wanted to work for. With EchoJobs, job seekers can do all this and more,” he Gao.
Read more.
2024 Vogt Awards Cohort
Credit: Abdul Sharif Photography
Back row (left to right): Sashil Chapagain, PhD, Peter Armstrong, PhD, Jack Manzella, and Blake Martin, PhD with Sofab Inks; Morgan Gao with EchoJobs; Kela Ivonye and Gautam Nain with RiverGuide. Front row (left to right): Amanda Miah with Besti Co.; Ace McGill with Value Buddy; and Anora Morton, JD, with Nori
The Community Foundation of Louisville recently announced the recipients of our 24th Vogt Invention and Innovation Awards. These six early-stage industry disruptors received $25,000 in non-dilutive grant funding, participation in a 10-week accelerator program, startup coaching, mentorship, strategic introductions, and recognition.
The 2024 Vogt Awards Selection Committee
Back row starting from left: Maggie Harlow, Greg Langdon, Mario Mazzone, Logan Burchett, Nick Phillips, Brett Moreno, Jake Miller, Steve Reid, Dana Cosby, Phoebe Wood, Buddy Bockweg, Chris Weidmar, Erik Steele
Front row starting from left: Julia Regan, Cynthia Brown, Kena Samuels-Stith, Grace Simrall, Haleh Karimi PhD, Pat Carver PhD, Raechele Smalls, Tendai Charasika, Susan Olson PhD, Alli Truttmann. Photo credit: Abdul Sharif Photography.
This year’s six early-stage businesses were chosen by a selection committee made up of leading entrepreneurs, investors, and service providers in the startup and business communities, and past Vogt Award recipients. This innovative, passionate group of trailblazers are experts in their fields and have firsthand experience in what it takes to build a company from the ground up. The committee was led by Chair Maggie Harlow, CEO of Signarama Downtown.
The competition was tough this year, and narrowing the field to six businesses was an enormous challenge. We want to thank each committee member for their leadership, guidance, and thoughtful consideration throughout the selection process.
The Tremendous Legacy behind the Vogt Awards
The Vogt Invention & Innovation Fund and Awards were established in 1999 through an endowment generously created by Henry V. Heuser Sr. This long-standing and prestigious program aims to strengthen Louisville’s economic health by supporting innovative businesses and inspiring entrepreneurship.
It’s an incredible story of generosity supporting a long-term vision that benefits economic development in our community.
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