The 5th Annual Startup Lehigh Valley, where entrepreneurs showcase their innovations and compete for more than $30,000 in prizes, is approaching.
The event, which will be livestreamed and televised by WFMZ, is Oct. 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Factory LLC in Bethlehem. The deadline for entrepreneurs to register is Sept. 22. Register here. 
The Shark Tank-style event is designed to highlight startup companies in the Lehigh Valley and throughout Pennsylvania. Ten finalists will pitch their products and businesses to a panel of judges. The grand prize is $20,000.
Factory LLC and Lehigh University are partnering to put on this year’s event.
“The StartUp Lehigh Valley pitch competition is designed to help grow and showcase the entrepreneurship that’s already happening in the Valley and getting the community excited about supporting these local startups,” said Richard Thompson, the Founder of Factory LLC, a business innovation center for food, beverage, and pet companies.
“Lehigh is proud to be a partner for this year’s event. Richard Thompson and his team have created an exciting program, which we are proud to be able to support. The wide variety of entrepreneurs and products coming out of this program in the past have been innovative and interesting and we look forward to engaging with the contestants and the community,” Lehigh Provost Nathan Urban said.
Entrepreneurism is a key component of the Lehigh Valley economy. Startup businesses drive innovation and can grow into larger companies with large workforces that develop critically needed products and services. Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. (LVEDC) encourages entrepreneurism such as Startup Lehigh Valley. LVEDC’s Entrepreneurship Council identifies services that entrepreneurs need and connects them with resources to help grow their businesses.
In addition to the grand prize, the top two runners up at Startup Lehigh Valley will receive prizes of $3,000 and $2,000, respectively. There is a $5,000 Ben Franklin Award from Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and three $500 Penn State Lehigh Valley LaunchBox Boost Awards. The live and virtual audience will vote for the winner of a $1,000 Audience Choice award.
All participants are connected with LaunchBox’s resources for startup businesses, which include legal advice, marketing resources, mentors, and grant-funding opportunities.
Other sponsors of the 5th Annual Startup Lehigh Valley include JPMorgan Chase & Co., LVEDC, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, HNL Lab Medicine, Adams Outdoor Advertising, City Center Allentown, B104, and J.G. Petrucci Co.