About Us

The mission of the University of Kentucky's Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship (VACE), in keeping with the Gatton College of Business and Economics Strategic Plan, is to strengthen Kentucky’s economy through entrepreneurship and small business outreach in the Commonwealth. VACE serves students, staff, faculty, and community entrepreneurs with the goal to help launch their startup dreams. The Center seeks guidance from members on the advisory board as well as regional stakeholders to foster entrepreneurial education through workshops, online accelerator programming, and public events. VACE also connects entrepreneurs with mentors, Kentucky Angel Investors, and free access to downloadable books and templates. Check out the latest news, events, accelerator opportunities, and video library resources to get involved.

VACE Homepage Img
March

PNC Innovation Summit and Luncheon: The State of Generative AI

20

Gatton College of Business & Economics, Woodward Hall, Room 307
March

PNC Wildcat Pitch Competition: Open to all Students and PhD Candidates!

29

Intent to Compete open through March 29, 2024
April

PNC Wildcat Pitch Competition is April 20th!

20

Final Competition is from 12:45 - 3:45pm in Gatton College, Room 311

News

University of Kentucky Startups Win Top Awards at GSE Collegiate Pitch!

The Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship, in the Gatton College of Business Economics, is proud to announce that two University of Kentucky startups participating in the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp 2.0 Online Business Accelerator placed 1st and 3rd respectively in the 2024 GSE Collegiate Pitch!

PNC Wildcat Pitch Competition

The PNC Wildcat Pitch Competition is open to all University of Kentucky students from all majors across campus. Teams will pitch a business plan in their division, undergraduate or graduate (including PhD candidates), to compete for prize money. Student teams are encouraged to perform their best pitch to a panel of prestigious judges for a chance to win seed money for their startup ventures! A total of $20,000 in prize money has been generously sponsored by PNC Bank. The competition will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2024 in the Gatton College of Business.

PNC Innovation Summit: “The State of Generative AI”

The University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics, Kentucky’s flagship business college, is pleased to announce its collaboration with PNC Bank to host the 2024 PNC Innovation Summit, “The State of Generative AI,” March 20, 2024.This year’s keynote will be presented by Sarah Sanders, co-founder of Native AI and vice chair of the Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship.