Three startups representing Northern Kentucky University completed a near-sweep of a recent statewide, intercollegiate pitch competition. Each of the three early-stage businesses placed in the competition and collectively walked away with $23,000 in prizes to continue to develop and pursue their business ideas.

Megan Burriss, On Dogs

KY Pitch, an annual competition for students from Kentucky’s post-secondary universities and colleges, was held in Lexington and three out of seven winning teams were from NKU. Finalists competed across two tracks: exploratory, for newly formed ideas; and developed, for already existing ventures. 

• On Dogs, a company that specializes in 100-percent waterproof collars and leashes founded by Megan Burriss, took first place in the developed track and a $15,000 prize. In her pitch, Burriss passionately presented that On Dogs solves the issues of traditional dog collars, which absorb water, dirt and oil from your dog’s neck, creating a breeding ground for bacteria.

With her winnings, Burriss hopes to take On Dogs to new heights.

Kayla Braden and Caden Adams, Peachy and Vintage

“The next step in my entrepreneurial journey is to build an online presence for my company through the implementation of a website and social media pages. The money awarded to On Dogs will aid in that development as well as digital advertising in the near future,” she said. 

• Peachy and Vintage, a multiplatform thrift and vintage clothing store, placed second in the developed track and received $7,000. Peachy and Vintage, co-founded by students Caden Adams and Kayla Braden, is also the current tenant of Renaissance Covington’s Pike St. Pop Up, a quarterly rotating retail space for small businesses. With their lease expiring in June, Adams and Braden are actively searching for a permanent space to continue growing their venture. 

• The Spirit for Entrepreneurship went to Style House by Brittany, an event design service founded by Brittany Styles that cultivates lavish environments.

Brittany Styles, Style House by Brittany

“Being awarded the Spirit of Entrepreneurship showed me that others see value in what I do, which means so much for entrepreneurs. I learned more about myself, my business and how to better present it to others,” Styles said.

Each of the four NKU students who competed and placed, credit their success to their involvement with the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Housed in NKU’s Haile College of Business, the CIE allows students to take ownership of their future through innovation and entrepreneurial activities. Many students take the classroom concepts and start their own business through its internationally ranked 12-week business accelerator, the INKUBATOR.

All three startups have been accepted into the 2022 INKUBATOR cohort and will spend the summer developing their concepts with mentoring, access to capital, connections and flexible office spaces.

“This demonstrates the dedication of our faculty, and the hard work of our students as they shape the future through their entrepreneurial pursuits,” said Dr. Hassan HassabElnaby, dean of the Haile College of Business. “I couldn’t be prouder of how these students represented our college as they continue turning their dreams into reality.”