News

UKAccel Program Has First Graduating Class, Demo Day

The University of Kentucky Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship (VACE) and UK's Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) held the first Demo Day at the Gatton College of Business and Economics with graduates from the UKAccel Program. The UKAccel program, which is managed by OTC and VACE, offers a professional development and experiential learning opportunity to UK researchers interested in turning their intellectual property into a potential startup. [ read more ]

Pre-Screening Project Application Form - Fall 2017 Entrepreneurs Bootcamp

The Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship is collecting projects for the Fall 2017 Entrepreneurs Bootcamp. Due to capacity constraints, all projects will be vetted for acceptance into the program by the Von Allmen Center staff team. Project ideas can come from undergrads, grads, post docs, faculty, staff, and community entrepreneurs. Note that Bootcamp is a full semester beginning in the Fall ( tentatively September 7, 2017), and is NOT for academic credit. [ read more ]

VACE collaborator achieves national ranking for co-working spaces

From amazing amenities that make (or for that matter, break) your favorite coworking space, to unique design and brand values, linked are AllWork’s top 10 picks for the best all-around coworking spaces in the United States. [ read more ]

VACE Client Hippo Software Manager Discusses Its Entrepreneurial Journey in Lane Report

Two years into creating a 2012 startup to develop management software for veterinarians, Sam Razor and Bart Conrad realized that the money was about to run out. Convinced that creating and delivering cloud-based veterinary practice-management software services held strong potential, Razor and Conrad in late 2014 began looking for investors for Hippo Manager Inc. [ read more ]

Longtime VACE Client Announces Expansion Plans

A Lexington-based biotech company and spinout of the University of Kentucky is growing its operations to meet demands of mosquito-borne disease and pest control in the United States. Mayor Jim Gray and UK President Eli Capilouto today joined MosquitoMate officials and local leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s newly expanded facilities in Lexington. [ read more ]

UK Bootcamp Team Headed to Accelerator Program in Boston

Stillage Solutions will attend the CleanTech Open later this year as a top 25 semifinalist. The team was selected from a pool of over 120 candidates from 10 of the 13 CleanTech Open-Midwest states, including Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Kentucky. [ read more ]

Upcoming Events

Aug 29

Startup Advantage Meetup with special guest Chris Young of the Bluegrass Angels

Join us for this month's Startup Advantage with special guest Chris Young. Christopher H. Young is the General Manager at Overbrook Farm, and is actively involved in the regional startup community as Chair of the Bluegrass Angels, and lead manager of its related venture funds: the BGA Venture Fund II and BGA Venture Fund III.

Aug 30

5 Across - Lexington

"Lexington's version of Shark Tank" 5 Across is a fun gathering of entrepreneurs, investors, and service providers from Lexington, KY. Each 5 Across meeting features presentations from local entrepreneurs who pitch their ideas to a panel of judges.

Aug 30

RunJumpDev – August MeetUp

This month we are pleased to have a variety of speakers come and talk about their Rules and Play art installations.

Sept 6

Louisville Venture Connectors – Tiny Homes

Visionary entrepreneur and co-founder of Mighty Small Homes, Cyndi Masters, will share why tiny homes are here to stay, as well as their impact on homeownership for first-time buyers, seniors, immigrants and refugees. She will also discuss opportunities the small home market presents for investors.

Sept 6

KYPTAC 101

Doing business with the government is a big step to growing your business. Kentucky Procurement Technical Assistance Center (KPTAC) provides free of charge counseling and training services for small business owners that want to sell products and services to federal, state, and/or local governments. Learn more about KY PTAC’s free services.

Sept 14

SPARK: Bluegrass Angels Case Studies Luncheon

Come hear from leaders of Lexington’s Bluegrass Angels investor group and leaders of BGA portfolio companies. Investors and entrepreneurs will share their stories in a panel format. How did they engage BGA? When did BGA invest? Why did BGA choose to invest? What was the process like? What has been BGA’s role since the investment? How has BGA impacted the KY startup ecosystem?

Oct 17

Neil Patel Presents: Growth Hacking Secrets for 2017

Neil Patel & Growth Labs Academy bring you the next laboratory in a series of growth virtual events that are being used as a secret weapon of Silicon Valley's tech elite and the fastest growing startups in the world.

Oct 17

Meet the Primes – Reverse Trade Show

The Reverse Trade Show is a highly effective business networking event that allows businesses the opportunity to meet one-on-one with purchasing professionals. It is designed as a one stop shop – allowing suppliers, contractors, and other company representatives to meet and encourage vendor partnerships.