The Vogt Awards

The Community Foundation of Louisville's Vogt Award offers entrepreneurs in the Louisville region a unique opportunity to take their business to the next level.

Each year, up to six (6) early-stage businesses receive up to $25,000 in non-dilutive grant funding, the option to apply for an additional $25,000 in investment from Keyhorse Capital, and participation in a rigorous, 10-week accelerator program. The accelerator provides coaching, mentorship, accountability, and strategic introductions – all designed to fast track the business.  

The Vogt Awards support early-stage businesses that are developing innovative products or services, businesses that use technology, and actively working to build a sustainable and scalable company. They are beyond the idea stage and must have a prototype with initial testing and engagement with early customers. Companies may be pre-revenue or have modest sales and may have raised small amounts of funding. All are still in the formative stages of growth. 

For more information about the Vogt Awards, including previous winners, please visit www.VogtAwards.com. 

Requirements that must be true for application consideration:
If you do NOT meet these criteria, please visit Amplify for access to other business startup assistance.

• The business is a for-profit entity.


• The business is headquartered in the following counties.
  
  
  
  • Indiana – Clark, Floyd, or Harrison counties
  
  
  • Kentucky – Bullitt, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, or Spencer counties
  
  
  
  


• The business is registered and in good standing with either the Indiana or Kentucky Secretary of State and in good standing (business can be organized in another state, e.g.: Delaware):
  
  
  
  • Indiana: https://bsd.sos.in.gov/publicbusinesssearch
  
  
  • Kentucky: https://sosbes.sos.ky.gov/BusSearchNProfile/search.aspx  
  
  
  
  


• The business:
  
  
  
  • Is using technology to develop a new product or service,
  
  
  • Is solving a pain point,
  
  
  • Has conducted customer discovery to validate their product/service,
  
  
  • Has a large market,
  
  
  • Has a unique competitive advantage and
  
  
  • Is developing a scalable business model.
  
  
  
  


• The business is beyond the concept/idea stage and has an early prototype of the technology.


• The business is developing an innovative product/service.


• The business has customer revenue of less than $250,000/year to date.


• The business has a lifetime funding maximum of $1,000,000 as of application submittal (this includes grants, investments, and loans but excludes founders’ personal investments).


• The business is independent, not a subsidiary of another business or corporate spinout.

Applications will be given stronger consideration by the Selection Committee if these aspects are included and well-described in a founder’s application: 

• The business includes a scalable business model:
  
  
  
  • Repeatable Processes – The business can expand without needing to reinvent its operations.
  
  
  • Low Marginal Costs – Each new customer or sale doesn’t add significant cost.
  
  
  • Technology & Automation – Using tools that allow for growth without increasing labor costs.
  
  
  • Flexible Infrastructure – The business can handle growth without operational bottlenecks.
  
  
  • Market Demand & Customer Acquisition – The product/service has a broad market with sustainable demand.
  
  
  
  


• The business is potentially venture-backable where it can deliver a return on investment within a reasonable timeframe.


• The product or service being developed does not require a long regulatory approval cycle (for example, companies working on a new drug may be excluded).

About the Community Foundation

The Vogt Awards are a program of The Community Foundation of Louisville.  Through the generosity of donor Mr. Henry Vogt Heuser Sr., former president of the Henry Vogt Machine Company, a gift in 1999 has fueled this program for the past 26 years. Founded in 1984, the Community Foundation of Louisville mobilizes people, networks, and capital to spark meaningful change in and beyond Louisville. With over $900 million in assets, over 2,200 charitable funds, and collaborations with hundreds of local partners, we connect philanthropic investments with relevant causes. The Foundation has addressed and continues to address a wide range of community needs. The key priorities of the Foundation’s mission are to remove barriers to accessing capital and resources and to open opportunities for all. Learn more at cflouisville.org. 

• Aerospace
• Business Products
• Business Services
• Chemicals and Chemical Products
• Consumer Products
• Consumer Services
• Digital Marketing
• Education
• Electronics / Instrumentation
• Fintech
• Food and Beverage
• Gaming
• Healthcare Services
• Industrial/Energy
• Media and Entertainment
• Mobile
• Oil and Gas
• Robotics
• Security
• Software
• Telecommunications

• Louisville, KY, US

• Capital Seeking
• - $50,001
• Valuation
• -