06/17/2026
CK Announced as winner of the 2026 Innovation Summit!
City Kitch was selected out of 280+ applicants as a Top 5 finalist in the 2026 Charlotte Hornets Innovation Summit, where entrepreneurs pitch innovative ideas for the opportunity to receive a $25,000 investment from the Charlotte Hornets and Bank of America.
City Kitch’s winning concept, the Digital Food Marketplace, will create new opportunities for more than 60 local food businesses. It will strengthen Charlotte’s local food economy by increasing visibility through bespoke digital marketing and connecting entrepreneurs with customers.
“We are incredibly grateful to Bank of America and the Charlotte Hornets for creating this opportunity and for their commitment to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in our community,” said Lillian McGuire. “City Kitch was built to create a low-cost, accessible entry point into the restaurant industry, helping talented food entrepreneurs turn their ideas into sustainable businesses. This $25,000 investment will have a meaningful impact on City Kitch and, more importantly, on the more than 30 local food businesses that call City Kitch home.”
A special thank you goes out to all of our members at City Kitch who continue to showcase their talents and passion everyday, for their leadership, and to for their expertise in bringing this idea to life.
City Kitch is changing the game, and we are just getting started! 🔥
