Aviatra Accelerators, a non-profit accelerator devoted to empowering women-owned startups and small businesses, will hold its annual Flight Night Pitch at Northern Kentucky University’s Griffin Hall Digitorium on Wednesday, September 7.
The event will showcase four local female-founded businesses that have recently completed Aviatra’s Launch class, a 10-week, 30-hour program designed specifically for newer, revenue-positive businesses – those in business for between one and three years who want to take their business to the next level.
The female entrepreneurs who will compete for grant funding at Flight Night are:
Emily Bruns and Sofia Mimendi of Aclipse Campervans following their win in the 2021 Flight Night competition. (Photo from Aviatra Accelerators)
• Molly Hoying, owner of Vale Technologies, LLC, that takes CO2 from natural gas and converts it to a recoverable fuel
• Ann Johnston, owner of Hyde Forty-Seven, a line of patent-pending interchangeable jewelry
• Helen On and Julie Rowland, business partners of The Nail Salon Network, creators of an app written in Vietnamese for 60,000 Vietnamese independent nail salon owners to bring overall efficiencies to their businesses and increase profits
• Abbi Rettig, owner of Tickety-Boo Treats, manufacturer of allergen-friendly desserts to people with dietary restrictions
During Launch, the business owners created a business plan with a three-year financial projection, validated by the U.S. Small Business Administration, working with assigned SCORE mentors and participated in networking and coaching during the 10-week program.
“Flight Night is a testament to the power of Launch and what female entrepreneurs can accomplish when guided by mentors, coaches and our comprehensive curriculum,” said Nancy Aichholz, President/CEO of Aviatra Accelerators.
WCPO-9 News Good Morning Tristate anchor Julie O’Neill will host the live Flight Night event at NKU, generously underwritten by sponsors Alloy Development Co. and First Financial Bank. Tickets to Aviatra’s Flight Night are on sale now and can be reserved online.
The winners of the 2021 pitch competition were Emily Bruns and Sofia Mimendi of Aclipse Campervans, who received a $ 6,000 grant from Aviatra; and Dominique Khoury of Looqma who received a $4,000 grant from Aviatra.
In addition to Launch, Aviatra offers two other programs; Explore, an early-stage ideation and business validation program and Grow its ongoing sustainability programming. Aviatra also offers a digital, online platform of curriculum called Aviatra365.
Aviatra Accelerators
