Dear Readers,

I’m thrilled to continue to share my recent discussions with the founders of the 2023 Community Foundation of Louisville’s Vogt Awards cohort. Each year, up to six early-stage businesses receive $25,000 in non-dilutive grant funding and participate in a 10-week startup accelerator program (including coaching, mentorship, strategic introductions, and recognition) – all designed to boost the growth of their businesses.

Today, we are bringing you interviews with Cecile Matthews & Chris Matthews, founders of Gamerabble, and Eddie Fieldhouse & David Galownia, founders of The Kentucky Hug.

Gamerabble is tackling the huge (and growing) global gaming market with a coaching platform for gamers that includes an AI driven assistant. But are there applications beyond gaming? As I dove into Gamerabble’s model, it occurred to me that a learning/coaching community with an AI driven platform could benefit communities far beyond gamers and could, in fact, become a global model for training in a wide variety of disciplines beyond gaming. What do you think?

The Kentucky Hug is a classic (and brilliant) pivot from a well-established, family business to a new model – with an upside that reaches far beyond Kentucky. While the idea for The Kentucky Hug was originally focused on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and surrounding communities, there are myriad of opportunities for TKH’s growth far beyond the Bluegrass State.

We will be following Gamerabble and The Kentucky Hug in the coming weeks and months to track their progress toward success.

Stay tuned!

Tom Cottingham
CEO Fast Future Media

View The Interviews Below:

Up Your Game with Gamerabble!

Now, this is innovation in action! 2023 Vogt Award Recipients Chris Matthews and Cecile Matthews with Gamerabble sat down with Tom Cottingham, CEO of Fast Future, to discuss how their early-stage business hopes to utilize AI to extend their capabilities.

For more information about the Vogt Awards and this year’s Demo Day, visit www.vogtawards.com.

Entrepreneur Pivots Family Business

Taking it to the next level! 2023 Vogt Award Recipients Eddie Fieldhouse and David Galownia with The Kentucky Hug sat down with Tom Cottingham, CEO of Fast Future, to discuss how their early-stage business hopes to use Kentucky Bourbon tourism to share the culture and heritage of Kentucky Bourbon.

For more information about the Vogt Awards and this year’s Demo Day, visit www.vogtawards.com.