NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Kripalu won Lever's 2021 Berkshire Intrapreneur Challenge and $25,000 on Thursday, Sept. 23, the first event of the Lever Innovation Summit, which continues Friday, Sept. 24. 

 

A panel of judges declared Kripalu the winner for its plan to bring its sourdough bread and other baked goods to local and regional markets, with proceeds being used to bring yoga to underserved communities.

 

Other finalists competing in the Challenge were Kripalu, Wellness Concepts, JM Spartan, and The Chamberlain Group. The Challenge was emceed by Gregory Thomas, Executive Director & Lecturer at UMASS Amherst's Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship Management. 

 

"The Intrapreneur Challenge is a great showcase of how established companies can continue to innovate," said Lever Executive Director Jeffrey Thomas. "It's also more proof that the Berkshires are ripe for innovation. In addition to the entrepreneurship that happens here, businesses with deep roots are ready to launch new ideas that will ultimately create jobs in the region."

 

Lever's two-day Innovation Summit features intrapreneurs who "innovate from within" mature companies, a discussion of rural innovation, and presentations from leaders who are innovating for inclusion. Other events at the Summit include keynotes by Carolyn Kirk, Executive Director of Mass Tech Collaborative and Kenn Turner, CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center.