Our Mission

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.

VACE Homepage Img

News

5th Annual PNC Innovation Summit on March 26th

The Gatton College of Business and Economics is pleased to announce its continued collaboration with PNC Bank to present the 2025 PNC Innovation Summit, “Funding Innovation – The Art of Startup Fundraising,” on March 26th and the PNC Wildcat Pitch Competition on April 26th. Now in its fifth year, the PNC Innovation Summit provides UK students with insights into the startup arena and real-world challenges unique to early-stage organizations, while delivering opportunities for attendees to learn from and connect with distinguished business leaders and alumni.  

PNC Wildcat Pitch Competition

The PNC Wildcat Pitch Competition is open to all University of Kentucky students from all majors across campus. Teams will pitch a business plan in their division, undergraduate or graduate (including PhD candidates), to compete for prize money. Student teams are encouraged to perform their best pitch to a panel of prestigious judges for a chance to win seed money for their startup ventures! A total of $20,000 in prize money has been generously sponsored by PNC Bank.

2025 CCTS Conference: VACE 8th Annual Poster Pitch Competition!

The 20th Annual Clinical Center for Translational Science (CCTS) Spring Conference will be held on April 1, 2025 in the Central Bank Center (in-person).  The Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship (VACE) in the Gatton College of Business and Economics hosts its 8th annual 1-minute poster pitch competition. This year's conference theme is "Pioneering Pathways: Innovative Trial Design in Translational Science."