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Every year, WGT$? recognizes entrepreneurial companies in Lexington that are contributing to the long-term growth and prosperity of our community. These entrepreneurs are the mechanism for growing new businesses and jobs that form the basis for a knowledge-based economy. Participants of the Lexington Entrepreneurship Impact Survey help to shine light on the bright future for start-ups and entrepreneurs in the Bluegrass Region.
2020 SPONSORS
2020 PARTICIPANTS
Recognizing these are challenging times, we value and appreciate the bright ideas and impact our entrepreneurs make on the Lexington community. This year WGT$? celebrates 77 entrepreneurs and early-stage companies that responded to its annual survey.
Advanced Semiconductor
Processing Technology
AMdx
APAX Software Development, LLC
Aviation Safety Resources, Inc.
Awesome Center for Entrepreneurship
Cerelux, LLC
Commonwealth Coaching LLC
Enepret Incorporated
Enhancing Innovation Consulting
Equine Diagnostic Solutions, LLC
F6 Pharma
Fishback Management & Research, Inc.
Gismo Therapeutics Inc
JLH Creative Services LLC
Kirn Medical Design LLC
Mnemo Corp
MyVocalHealth
OptimMol Enzyme
ORB Technologies LLC
Seats Inc
Synaptek
The Grainery LLC
VerraGlo, LLC
W-Z Biotech, LLC
Wild Dog Physics LLC
2020 RESULTS
$51.1 million
Investments (grants, equity, debt)
$94.5 million
Revenue Generated
$61,450
Average Salary for FT Employees
121 new jobs
546 employed
Results calculated from self-reported numbers from FY2020 that were provided by 77 Lexington, KY startups.
2020 AWARDS
eAchievers
This award recognizes those companies, who reported on their annual survey that during July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020, that their company raised $1 million or more in funding from all sources (i.e. grants, equity etc.) and/or the company hired five or more full-time employees.
2020 Female Founded Startup of the Year
In a study of over 350 startups, researchers discovered that companies founded by women generated more than two times as much revenue per dollar invested than those founded by men. However, the distribution of investment is not equitable – nearly 98% of venture capital is invested in male founded startups.
This award celebrates the ingenuity, entrepreneurship and the successful venture funding efforts of one of our own female-founded companies, despite these existing barriers. Our 2020 Female Founded Startup of the Year award is presented to Sarah Alessi, cofounder of FlyWire.
FlyWire’s turn-key precision fishing platform combines patented technology and deep lean manufacturing expertise to increase efficiency and drive down at-sea monitoring costs. This female co-founded startup is reframing the regulatory obligation as a growth opportunity for fisheries, decreasing resistance to adoption, and introducing data reporting technology to one of the planet’s oldest industries.
This award is sponsored by Marrow, a Lexington-based branding agency for startups and challenger brands. Marrow is doing its part to change the narrative by investing strategic resources in this years winner. Through brand development engagement, they will refine and amplify the winner’s brand story for a world in need of female perspective, talent and innovation.
2020 Stand Out Award
The Stand Out award recognizes a local startup that has had impressive revenue growth and success in raising capital despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year we are excited to recognize Gun Media Holdings, who has thrived as a business during the 2019-2020 fiscal year. We are excited to bestow this award in recognition of the indomitable entrepreneurial spirit, which rises in the face of overwhelming odds and sees opportunity where others see risk.
“The diversity and creative ideas of my team have propelled us forward and helped our sales skyrocket. It’s also the investor scene in Lexington—it takes real vision to look past potential risks and help push a company like mine forward. These connections all began with Commerce Lexington, and I am forever grateful for their leadership and willingness to help any company, at any size, and at any stage.”
-Wes
Keltner, CEO and Founder of Gun Media Holdings
2020 STARTUP RESOURCES
