PADUCAH, KY — May 15, 2025 — WholeNote, a music-tech startup founded by artists and musicians Shanden Simmons and Callon Nanny, took home top honors at the West Kentucky Innovation Challenge Pitch Competition on Wednesday night. The co-founders wowed the crowd and judges with their platform that helps independent musicians automate royalty collection, distribution, and promotion—giving artists more control over their careers.
Held at Maiden Alley Cinema, the event brought in 88 community members, filling the historic theater with excitement, energy, and regional pride. Four local startups competed live on stage: WholeNote, Santerre International, Weather Brother, and DataRovers.
Each team has been advancing through Market Fit Lab, Sprocket’s new entrepreneur training program led by Entrepreneur in Residence John Truitt. The program is designed to help early-stage founders validate their business models, refine their value propositions, and build traction.
In addition to the $1,000 grand prize awarded to WholeNote, the People’s Choice Award went to Mark Anderson of Santerre International, a sustainability-focused startup turning invasive Asian carp into organic fertilizer to support local agriculture and soil health.
“This wasn’t just a pitch night—it was a showcase of the innovation and resilience happening in our region,” said Monica Bilak, Executive Director of Sprocket. “These founders are solving real problems, and they’re doing it right here in West Kentucky. The community showed up strong, and that support matters more than anything.”
The West Kentucky Innovation Challenge Pitch Competition is part of Sprocket’s mission to build a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region. From mentorship to startup training, Sprocket continues to create opportunities for local innovators to thrive.
To learn more about the Market Fit Lab or get involved, visit sprocketwky.com/startups.