December 2021 (Lexington, KY) – Congratulations to the Fall 2021 Entrepreneurs Bootcamp 1.0 winning teams! The University of Kentucky’s Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship (VACE) proudly announces the winning teams in both the Monday and Thursday sections from the fall semester. Early-stage startup capital is generously sponsored by The Institute for the Study of Free Enterprise, led by Dr. Charles Courtemanche. The Entrepreneurs Bootcamp successfully completes its 7th year, continuing to be open to all Kentucky students, staff, faculty, and community members seeking to develop a business idea.
“I am very proud of the team’s hard work this year and look forward to seeing how they proceed with their ventures. It has been a pleasure assisting them each Monday and watching their business models progress.” – Warren Nash | Executive Director, Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship
“Helping these teams get to the finish line has been a very rewarding experience as a coach and instructor. It is a tough process to get through, as many entrepreneurs are managing other responsibilities in life. I’ve enjoyed being a small part of their growth each Thursday evening, while building a foundation that increases their confidence and awareness. I’m excited to invite selected teams that completed 1.0 into Bootcamp 2.0, which I’ll be leading in the Spring 2022 semester.” – Mariam Gorjian | Assistant Director, Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship | Bootcamp Co-Founder
“The Institute for the Study of Free Enterprise (ISFE) was delighted to continue to provide prize money for VACE’s Entrepreneurs’ Bootcamp this fall. ISFE’s mission is to discover and understand how free enterprise affects people’s lives and the well-being of society – and entrepreneurship is the foundation upon which the free enterprise system is built. ISFE fulfills its mission primarily through scholarly research and public events. Partnering with VACE to ensure that the Bootcamp reaches as many future entrepreneurs as possible is therefore a natural way to increase the breadth of ISFE’s activities related to entrepreneurship. Along with the rest of ISFE’s staff and faculty affiliates, I congratulate the winners and wish you all the best with your business endeavors.” - Dr. Charles Courtemanche | Associate Professor and Director of the Institute for the Study of Free Enterprise
Monday Bootcamp 1.0 Winning Teams
1st Place - $2,000
Doug Thorpe | Solar Roof Decking
Doug Thorpe is the team leader for this project and 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
2nd Place - $1,500
Javier Clavere | LDS Enterprises
At Leadership Diversity Solutions Enterprises, LLC, we lead people toward financial literacy and prosperity while providing tools to unlock access and equity. We empower our clients with confidence to build financial freedom, manage wealth, and create cycles of security. The team is led by Javier Clavere with the support of team member, Michael Morgan. To connect with Javier Clavere, email: javierclavere@gmail.com
3rd Place - $1,000
James Clark and Brittany Harris | Rave On Sports
Rave On Sports 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
Director’s Award Winner - $500
Sheree McKee | Silver Lining
Silver Lining seeks to develop a small business aiding independent senior clients. We would serve as facilitators in finding resources and supplies, providing advice for home safety, and reviewing medication regimen. We will provide minimal assistance around the home during scheduled visits and assistant with certain tasks such as grocery trips or delivery about once or twice a month. The goal is to encourage mental growth and productivity with monthly senior group sessions or activities based on functional level and motivate each client to create personal achievable goals for each month and encourage their execution. The team is led by Sheree McKee with support of team member, Barbara Mitchell. For more information, contact: satinsheree@gmail.com
Thursday Bootcamp 1.0 Winning Teams
1st Place - $2,000
Savannah Blank | Digital Savvy
Digital Savvy began in early 2020 as an idea to provide clients with the best possible results, and someone local they can trust. Not a big marketing company, or someone who doesn’t focus on online marketing only. Whether you are starting up your business from the ground and need help setting up profile pages, or you need input on your multi-level marketing plan, Digital Savvy has your solution. Ask questions, create content and creative that fits your brand exactly. To connect with Savannah, email: digitalsavvyky@gmail.com
2nd Place - $1,500
Kaizar Mahuwala | Connecting Worlds
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
3rd Place (tied) - $1,000
Tom Harney | Greater Good Network
Tom Harney is 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!
3rd Place (tied) - $1,000
Tricia Kellenbarger | Performance Fuel
Tricia Kellenbarger is a University of Kentucky Nurse 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