Ever wondered what happens after completing the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp? The Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship is excited to continue our series, "Bootcamp Accelerator Startups: Where are They Now?" The Spring 2025 webinar series showcases alumni founders who have gone on to achieve significant milestones, including competing in pitch competitions and securing funding for their ventures. Join us to hear their inspiring stories and gain valuable insights. Open to students, staff, faculty, and community entrepreneurs.
Details for each webinar can be found below along with links to RSVP.
Date: Feb. 11, 2025 (Tues)
Time: 12:00-1:00pm EST
Guest speaker: Carolyn Rose Benedict, CEO & Founder of Cultivate Recovery
Webinar Overview: Carolyn recovered from substance use disorder and recognized the current standard of care was not effective for many people afflicted with the disease of addiction. Motivated to change and impact this space, she opened Rose Recovery: a sober living house for women, in Louisville where a new model of care began to develop. She later expanded services by establishing Cultivate Recovery Center to serve as CEO and director of programming. She completed her MBA at the Gatton College of Business & Economics in May 2023, won prize money in the Bootcamp Online Accelerator, and received top awards various pitch competitions throughout Kentucky and beyond. Join this webinar on Feb. 11th to listen to Carolyn’s story, how she launched her business, and where she is now after completing Bootcamp.
A zoom meeting link will be emailed to all attendees that RSVP for the webinar. Email Jared Magolan for technical assistance: jared.m@uky.ed
Date: Feb. 25, 2025 (Tues)
Time: 12:00-1:00pm EST
Guest speaker: Wyatt Hench, CEO & Founder of HelperHat
Webinar Overview: Wyatt Hench is current student at the University of Kentucky, pursuing his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering. Wyatt is a Bootcamp graduate and the CEO and Founder of HelperHat. His startup company aims to make organizing tools easy and seamless by wearing the “HelperHat.” Wyatt has won several awards, pitch competitions, and continues to fundraise for his startup. Join this webinar on Feb. 25th to listen to Wyatt’s story, how he started the business, and where he is now after completing Bootcamp.
A zoom meeting link will be emailed to all attendees that RSVP for the webinar. Email Jared Magolan for technical assistance: jared.m@uky.edu
Date: Mar. 4, 2025 (Tues)
Time: 12:00-1:00pm EST
Guest speaker: Camron Brown, Serial Entrepreneur, Forbes Next 1000 Honoree
Webinar Overview: Camron Brown is the founder of Counter, a fintech company that addresses the challenges of disability insurance claims by eliminating elimination periods. The idea for Counter came from Camron's personal experience in 2021 when they lost the ability to walk due to Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Faced with the frustrating and harmful process of disability claims, Camron set out to create a solution that would help others avoid the same struggles.
As a two-time founder, Camron has a background in sales, operations, business compliance, and law, holding a 4.0 GPA from Texas A&M School of Law. His entrepreneurial journey is complemented by a strong commitment to social impact, with involvement in non-profit work aimed at helping individuals in recovery from addiction and those re-entering society after incarceration. Camron’s leadership, paired with their personal experience and dedication to improving the disability claims process, drives Counter’s mission to provide financial support and ensure fairness for people on disability or FMLA leave.
Join this webinar on March 4th to listen to Camron’s story, how he started the business, and where he is now after completing Bootcamp.
For technical assistance, email Jared Magolan: jared.m@uky.edu
Mission Statement
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 webinars, 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.