June Newsletter 2025 - Summer is buzzing with entrepreneurial energy and opportunities across Kentucky! We're thrilled to announce that The Gatton College is hosting the Governor's School for Entrepreneurs Summer Startup, nurturing the next generation of innovators. Our own VACE Advisory Board Chairman, Silas Deane, was recently showcased on the Middle Tech Podcast, sharing valuable insights for the startup community.
Mark your calendars for two exciting pitch events: the Emerging Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition at The Lyric Theatre and the Awesome Inc. 5Across Pitch Competition, where promising startups will present their groundbreaking ideas. For those looking to accelerate their ventures, don't miss the upcoming Bootcamp Accelerator Orientation & Info Session.
We're also proud to highlight Immersive Hearing Technologies, led by CEO Jeff Cummins, as our Kentucky Angel Featured Company – a testament to the incredible innovation happening right here in the Commonwealth.
Stay connected and informed by visiting our YouTube Channel, where you can view past webinars and inspiring guest speakers. And of course, be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for real-time updates and behind-the-scenes content. Finally, we invite you to Donate to VACE to help us continue fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kentucky.
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The Governor's School for Entrepreneurs
The Governor's School for Entrepreneurs Summer Startup 2025 will be held at the University of Kentucky's Gatton College of Business & Economics beginning June 22nd! “Kentucky’s youth are amazing and leading in such innovative ways,” said Gov. Andy Beshear.
“With so many great jobs coming to Kentucky, it is exciting to see the next generation working so hard to help us continue our economic momentum. Congrats to everyone for their great ideas and hard work.”
GSE’s Summer Startup is a free three-week immersive learning and residential program where high school entrepreneurs from across Kentucky (9th, 10th and 11th graders) come together on campus to create innovative solutions to real world problems. Participants will gain vital entrepreneurial skills, make connections, and transform their lives whether they head to college, start a business, or both. Click here to check out the winners from Summer 2024!
Middle Tech Podcast
Silas Deane is the Advisory Board Chairman of The Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship, founder, serial entrepreneur, and University of Kentucky graduate who bootstrapped his company, VendEngine, from a back-of-the-napkin idea to an $84 million exit. VendEngine serves correctional facilities, providing a solution that transforms how families support incarcerated loved ones. With no outside funding, Silas grew the company steadily over 12 years, leading to an $84 million acquisition by Tyler Technologies. His accomplishments recently earned him a place in UK's Gatton College of Business and Economics Hall of Fame, a recognition of his successes since graduating.
In this episode, Silas shares how he navigated the Dot-Com boom and bust, the challenges of bootstrapping a tech company, and the strategies he used to scale VendEngine in a complex industry. He also discusses the importance of cloud technology, how the pandemic was a tailwind for the company's growth, and the pivotal moments that kept his business moving forward.
Expect to learn how Silas approached building technology solutions for underserved markets, why he never raised capital for the business, and what advice he has for entrepreneurs looking to grow without outside capital.
Middle Tech is proudly supported by:
KY Innovation → kyinnovation.com
Kentucky Angel Network - June Featured Company
Immersive Hearing Technologies is a SaaS company revolutionizing hearing aid sales with an immersive demonstration platform for audiology clinics. Their software, running on a tablet with hearing aids and headphones, lets patients experience and compare hearing aids in real-world environments using proprietary 360-degree audio and visual technology. Immersive Hearing Technologies’ A-B comparison feature allows patients to switch between their current hearing and different hearing aid models, while a hearing loss simulator helps significant others understand the impact of treatment. By enhancing the sales experience and improving patient confidence, Immersive Hearing Technologies increases conversion rates and increases ASP for clinics. The company generates revenue through a subscription model, with additional opportunities in OTC hearing aid sales and lead generation.