April 2022 (Lexington, Ky) - The Spring 2022 Entrepreneurs Bootcamp 2.0 program wrapped up the semester with five teams winning $2,000 each in startup capital. In addition, two teams received $500 each as a special award called the "Dentons Choice Award" made possible by law firm Dentons Bingham Greenebaum. Other sources of funding are generously provided by The Institute for the Study of Free Enterprise.
These teams are also graduates from the Fall 2021 Bootcamp 1.0 program and made it through two semesters of intensive startup training. They completed their final milestone presentations in Bootcamp 2.0 on April 7, 2022 and graduated from the program on April 14, 2022. The graduates from 2.0 each received $2,000 for their efforts and will continue pursuing their startup ventures.
"It has been a pleasure working with the teams over these last two semesters and watching them progress at various stages. Being part of their journey is rewarding and helping them succeed in the program is a great honor. I am thankful to all our guest judges, speakers, mentors, and sponsors for making it all possible. Our entrepreneurs are helping shape Kentucky's startup ecosystem, and they are very deserving of these startup funds." -Mariam Gorjian | Assistant Director of The Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship and Co-Founder of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp Program
$2,000 + $500 Dentons Choice Award - James Clark and Brittany Harris | Rave On Sports
Rave On Sports is a community-led startup that has a mission to provide dedicated sports fans with the best mobile app to enhance their experience as fans, at home or in the stadium. Using a unique engagement and interactive features, Rave On aims to dominate the fan’s second screen presence during live events, in the stadium, or their homes. By growing the fanbase, Rave On will use targeted ad placement, deep linking, merchandise, and sports gambling commissions to begin our revenue streams. Rave On seeks to build out a unique and more profound fan engagement options in the app to attract and monetize “premium” customers in the future. The Rave On team consists of James Clark - President and CoFounder, Brittany Harris - Vice President and CoFounder, Rick Baker - CoFounder, Jeff Atkisson - CoFounder, and Harry Lockstadt - CoFounder, Principal owner. To contact Rave On Sports, email: brittany@raveonsports.com or james@raveonsports.com
$2,000 + $500 Dentons Choice Award - Doug Thorpe | Solar Roofing
Doug Thorpe is community entrepreneur and the team leader for his startup, Solar Roofing. Doug is currently developing a domestically produced solar roof panel that is simple enough for roofers & DIY (plus electricians) to install thereby eliminating soft costs and reducing the total cost of a solar energy system by ~30%. His startup intends it to be sold as a commodity in Lowes/Home Depot type of stores. The product uses a standard 4'x4' OSB roof sheathing covered with an industrial grade roofing membrane. On to which, we glue a 7x7 array of PV cells that will produce 250 watts. The product is the roof, and replaces asphalt shingles, but the panels can be installed on roof trusses, deck board, and over asphalt shingles. We intend to have 4 panels plug into a single 1,200-watt microinverter/Vent Louver with the MC4 cables routed under the panels by the roofers. The vent louver comes with a fan that pulls hot air from under the roof panels while at the same time blows air across the 4 panels. To learn more, or connect with team leader Doug Thorpe, email: kyrocketman@gmail.com
$2,000 - Tricia Kellenbarger | Performance Fuel
Tricia Kellenbarger is a University of Kentucky Nurse and community entrepreneur that seeks to develop a program that incorporates nutrition with youth/teen athletes for improvement of training and performance. Tricia is currently working on a certification for Nutrition for Human Performance as well as a separate program in nutrition. As an experienced nurse, she understands the importance nutrition plays in health and wellness. She has more than 18 years of acute and critical care nursing experience. She earned her ADN from Ohio University in 2003, her MSN in Nursing Education from Walden University in 2011, and has completed her post-master’s certificate from the University of Kentucky as an Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist – Adult Gerontology. Professor Kellenbarger has served in both education and as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital; as well as adjunct faculty at the College of Nursing since 2011. To connect with Tricia, email: triciakellenbarger1@gmail.com
$2,000 - Tom Harney | Greater Good Network
Tom Harney a community entrepreneur and the Founder of "Greater Good." This startup project is an ethical nonprofit that seeks to disrupt and reform the $3 billion USD voluntourism, or volunteer vacation, industry. The overarching aim is to create ethical, responsible programs that empower disadvantaged communities and create new opportunities through innovative partnerships and impactful program design with a focus on continuous improvement. Team members supporting this effort include Carolee Allen and Mellisa Hunter. Contact Tom Harney at tom@greatergood.org.za | Click here to visit their website and learn more!
$2,000 - Kaizar Mahuwala | Connecting Worlds
Kaizar Mahuwala is a University of Kentucky graduate student, pursuing his MBA at the Gatton College of Business & Economics. His startup, Connecting Worlds, brings precious items and keepsakes to your doorstep. America is known as the land of opportunity, thousands of people immigrate to the United States every year from different parts of the world. At the same time American’s love to travel and explore rest of the world. Many people have desires and needs for items available either in their native place or from other parts of the world. But don’t have resources to source it. Connecting Worlds will source globally and deliver it at door step. At the same time local small businesses wants to grow and have global presence. Connecting Worlds will work and collaborate with such individuals or organisation to setup business channels to buy and sell making the world a local market. Connecting worlds will help to achieve and fulfil dreams to go global. To learn more about Kaizar's startup concept, please email: kaizar.mahuwala@uky.edu