LOTWAYS Wins First Place at University of Kentucky E-Club Pitch Competition

 

Lexington, KY – LOTWAYS, an innovative parking management startup, secured first place and $1,000 in investment funding at the University of Kentucky Entrepreneurship Club Pitch Competition on November 14, 2025, at the Gatton College of Business and Economics. The competition, sponsored by the Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship and 5 Across, featured six entrepreneurs presenting their business ventures to a panel of local business leaders and entrepreneurs.

 

 

LOTWAYS is transforming how people find and secure parking spots through an intelligent pre-booking system. The startup addresses a common frustration faced by drivers in downtown areas, campus environments, and event venues: the time-consuming search for available parking spaces.

 

The platform combines a mobile application with innovative robot technology called LOTBOT, creating a fully autonomous parking management solution. Users can reserve specific parking spots in advance, eliminating the uncertainty and stress of finding parking upon arrival.

 

 

Traditional parking solutions offer limited availability and often leave drivers circling lots for extended periods, especially during peak hours or special events. LOTWAYS provides access to confirmed, available parking spots that are typically inaccessible through conventional parking methods, giving drivers peace of mind before they even leave home.

 

 

LOTWAYS was founded in April 2025 at Startup Weekend, hosted by Awesome Inc in Lexington, Kentucky. The startup quickly gained recognition as the audience favorite at that event and has continued building momentum in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

 

The November 2025 E-Club Pitch Competition victory marks another significant milestone for the young company, validating its business model and market approach. The $1,000 investment prize will support continued development of the LOTBOT prototype and advancement toward filing a provisional patent for the technology.

 

 

LOTWAYS represents the growing intersection of smart city solutions and entrepreneurial innovation emerging from Kentucky's startup community. By leveraging technology to solve everyday problems, the company exemplifies the type of practical innovation that the Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship and the Gatton College aim to foster.

 

The startup is currently focused on prototype development and preparing for market entry in the Lexington area, with plans to expand to additional college towns and mid-sized cities.

 

 

The University of Kentucky Entrepreneurship Club's pitch competition provides a platform for student and community entrepreneurs to showcase their ventures and compete for funding. The November 14 event took place at Woodward Hall in the Gatton College of Business & Economics, with judges comprised of local entrepreneurs and business leaders.

 

For more information about LOTWAYS and updates on the company's progress, visit the Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics.