The Drive Business Pitch Competition Set to Ignite Kokomo’s Entrepreneurial Spirit
The Drive, a Shark Tank-style business pitch competition presented by Inventrek Technology Park, is set to light up Kokomo with exciting new business ideas.
TKP Photo
Finalists will take the stage to pitch their concepts to a panel of judges in front of a live audience, competing for a $10,000 prize and the chance to jumpstart their entrepreneurial dreams. The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 3, 2024, at Hingst Hall on the Ivy Tech Kokomo campus—and the best part? It’s free and open to the public.
“It’s so hard to get a pulse on how many potential entrepreneurs are out there,” said Lori Dukes, president and CEO of the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance, “so this is a great way for us to have that outreach to the community for those interested in this opportunity or learning more about how you develop a concept and a business plan.”
The Drive is part of an initiative by the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance, designed to support and nurture small businesses and start-ups in Howard County.
Open to businesses with 100 or fewer employees, the competition welcomes entrepreneurs looking to either launch a new venture or expand an existing one. Expansion ideas can include everything from growing square footage to adding new products or reaching new markets.
“One of the finalists, Crystina Diaz, has a fascinating story that I wish I could tell you right now, but I will wait for her to share during the competition,” teased Dukes, “It’s a true heartwarming Kokomo-grown story, and we’re so excited for her to share.”
The event features two dynamic finalists, each bringing their own unique story and business vision to the table:
Crystina Diaz, owner of Kingdom Kids Learning Center, has over seven years of experience in childcare and a passion for providing local children with opportunities to thrive. Her learning center accepts kids aged 3 to 5 and has no waitlist. With hopes of expanding her capacity, Diaz is committed to giving more families access to high-quality early education.
Luke Talley, owner of Backwoods Trading Company, turned his hobby of custom leather design into a full-fledged business. Specializing in creating unique leather patches for hats, Talley runs his operation out of his garage with a small team. He’s aiming to expand into a brick-and-mortar location and level up his marketing and promotions.
“Luke Talley’s story is incredible—going from concept to business in such a short time is truly impressive,” said Dukes.
The event will have judges who will choose a winner from the two finalists based on feasibility, short, medium and long-term goals, cost, the market for the business type and much more.
The competition doesn’t just benefit the finalists. It’s a chance for the community to come out, support local entrepreneurs and see the pitch process firsthand. For anyone considering their own business venture, this is an incredible opportunity to witness the kind of dialogue, strategy, and creativity that goes into building a successful business. Finalists will give a 10-minute presentation, followed by a 5-minute Q&A.
Beyond the competition, The Drive also provides crucial coaching and resources for local business owners.
“When you work at a small business, you wear all of the hats and it’s easy to feel isolated,” said Dukes. “We want to create a network of budding entrepreneurs who can help each other navigate the challenges they face.”
The Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance facilitated all the coaching and planning for the competition, with finalists working closely with the Alliance team to develop their business plans and fine-tune their pitches.
Applicants meet regularly with Alliance staff, receiving assignments and overcoming obstacles, to ensure their business ideas are ready for launch.
Margaret Johnson of the Wellness Garden-last year's winner | Courtesy of Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance
The support doesn’t end after the event—applications for the 2025 competition open the day after this year’s event, giving future applicants a full year to develop their plans.
In 2023, Margaret Johnson, owner of The Wellness Garden, took home the $10,000 prize to expand her business offering holistic health solutions. This year’s winner will join a growing list of entrepreneurs who are making waves in Kokomo.