About Us

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 workshops, 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.

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March

PNC Wildcat Pitch Competition: Open to all Students and PhD Candidates!

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Intent to Compete open through March 29, 2024
April

PNC Wildcat Pitch Competition is April 20th!

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Final Competition is from 12:45 - 3:45pm in Gatton College, Room 311

News

Spring 2024 Winners! CCTS/VACE Poster Pitch Competition

The 19th Annual Clinical Center for Translational Science (CCTS) Spring Conference was held on April 9, 2024 at the Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington, Kentucky . The Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship (VACE) in the Gatton College of Business and Economics hosted its 7th annual 1-minute research poster pitch competition.

Top Leading Innovators Present at the 2024 PNC Innovation Summit at the University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics, Kentucky’s flagship business college, and in collaboration with PNC Bank, hosted the 2024 PNC Innovation Summit, “The State of Generative AI,” on March 20, 2024.

This year’s keynote was presented by Sarah Sanders, co-founder of Native AI and vice chair of the Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship.

University of Kentucky Startups Win Top Awards at GSE Collegiate Pitch!

The Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship, in the Gatton College of Business Economics, is proud to announce that two University of Kentucky startups participating in the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp 2.0 Online Business Accelerator placed 1st and 3rd respectively in the 2024 GSE Collegiate Pitch!