The 2014 SEMA Launch Pad, powered by the Young Executives Network (YEN), features a lineup of finalists pitching their business concepts to an industry judging panel.
SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN) will present the second-annual SEMA Launch Pad business competition, Wednesday, November 5.
The top 10 young automotive entrepreneurs have been named in the second annual SEMA Launch Pad Presented by YEN competition. Representing new innovative products and services in the specialty automotive aftermarket, these next-gen automotive leaders are looking for a big break to launch their business to the next level.
July 1, 2014
The SEMA Launch Pad competition, in which automotive innovators under the age of 40 showcase their business plans for marketing a product or service, has returned for 2014. Last year’s inaugural winner was Jonathan Mill for the E-Stopp, a pushbutton emergency brake and anti-theft device for custom vehicles.
For the 2014 competition, the top 10 competitors will gather votes through the SEMA Facebook/YouTube voting platform. The top five individuals will then receive invitations to pitch their business ideas during a special event in front of an industry-fueled crowd at the 2014 SEMA Show.
What’s Driving the Industry’s Young Entrepreneurs?
A lot has been said and written lately about the “aging” of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. Built over roughly six decades by hands-on parts and hardcore speed and performance innovators, the automotive aftermarket is now an industry topping $30 billion. However, questions currently abound over whether it will continue to attract younger enthusiasts—not only as consumers but as entrepreneurs.