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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!
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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
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Date: Thursday, June12th
Time: 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: The Historic Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center
Women Leading Kentucky and the Women’s Business Center of Kentucky invite you to a one-of-a-kind evening that celebrates the brilliance and boldness of women-owned businesses in Central Kentucky!
Get ready to mix, mingle, and be moved! This vibrant event is more than a gathering — it’s a celebration of ambition, leadership, and innovation. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, seasoned business owner, or passionate supporter of women in business, this is your night to shine.
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On June 25th, 5 startups are taking the stage for our June edition of 5 Across. Clap and cheer as the 5 companies pitch their businesses Shark Tank-style to the crowd. The winner will receive $500 cash PLUS the opportunity to accept a $5,000 SAFE Note investment from Keyhorse Capital, a branch of KSTC! We will also have a delicious catered meal before the event, networking, and drinks. Come celebrate entrepreneurship with us and the Lexington startup community!
Event Schedule:
- 4 :45 Doors open
- 5:00-5:30 Networking and Dinner
- 5:30-7:00 Pitch Competition
- 7:00-7:30 Afterparty
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The Entrepreneurs Bootcamp is an online business accelerator that helps educate Kentucky's aspiring entrepreneurs launch new ventures. All eligible students, staff, faculty, and Kentucky entrepreneurs are welcome to apply to the program. Bootcamp is only open to Kentucky-based entrepreneurs. All other entrepreneurs outside the state are encouraged to seek out your local state resources. Eligibility and acceptance into Bootcamp is competitive and capacity is limited. Previous participants/graduates of Bootcamp will not be eligible.
Orientation & Info Session Overview
Join The Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship for an exciting virtual event on August 20th where you'll learn all about our upcoming Bootcamp Accelerator for the Fall 2025 semester. All attendees interested in entrepreneurship in Kentucky are encouraged to join this webinar and learn more about the accelerator.
Date: August 20 (Weds)
Time: Noon - 1:00pm EST
Attendees: This info session and orientation webinar is open to all Kentucky-based entrepreneurs, students, campuses across the state, and community members seeking to learn more about the accelerator. Orientation is MANDATORY for anyone coming into Bootcamp with an idea as a team leader/founder.
For application details for the Fall 2025 Bootcamp Accelerator, click the link below.
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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.
Connect with CEO, Jeff Cummins
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Whether you are looking to engage with fellow alumni, connect with students, or volunteer within the greater Lexington community, there are many ways to get involved. Through financial support of alumni and friends, we offer world-ready education to the hundreds of men and women who attend our college each year. Your gifts help us continue preparing individuals to become business leaders.
Philanthropy staff make the introduction, explaining the university’s vision and needs to outside entities and connecting them to the researchers, students and programs that can benefit from their generosity.
The Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship (VACE) is very thankful to all our donors, guest speakers, mentors, and incredible individuals in Kentucky's startup community for all you do! To help us continue our mission, please consider making a donation to support VACE by clicking here.
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