UK Entrepreneurs Bootcamp Kickoff Happening Thursday, Still Time to Apply

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 3, 2019) — There's still time to apply for the Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship (VACE) 2019 Entrepreneurs Bootcamp, which kicks off Sept. 5, in Woodward Hall at the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics.

Bootcamp is open to all faculty, students, staff and community leaders that wish to launch their own startup company. Individuals may apply with their own business idea or apply to be part of a startup team of two to five people. The program, comprised of 14 sessions, will culminate in a 10-minute pitch in front of business leaders and investors. 

This year, Castellan Group LLC is bringing 12 new business ideas to the 2019 Bootcamp. These ideas have been generated by current clients of the family office based in Louisville, Kentucky.

People that work on the ideas from Castellan Group, and who complete the Bootcamp program, may be eligible for up to $250,000 in seed funding. The Castellan Group may also offer equity ownership to eligible participants and the prospect of additional capital injections as subsequently created business progress.

Additionally, all other Bootcamp teams who meet all of the program’s milestones will be eligible for the benefits described above if they place in the top six spots as selected by an independent panel of judges during the Bootcamp finale on Dec. 5, 2019. Representatives for the Castellan Group — who are both UK graduates — will be at the 2019 VACE Bootcamp Kickoff, where they will represent their potential 12 companies and join all the team leaders delivering 1-minute pitches, in an effort to recruit team members.

Individuals interested in the Bootcamp opportunity must apply through the Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship website. The Castellan Group’s ideas can also be found on the VACE website.

The kickoff, which is the only session open to the public, will feature keynote speaker Mary Beth Wright of Messer Construction, a Lane Report "Top Women in Business" honoree and Gatton MBA graduate. Wright will also serve as a judge for the 60-second pitch competition, along with Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton, Gatton Executive Associate Dean Nicole T. Jenkins, Executive Director of Coldstream Research Campus George Ward and Bluegrass Angel David Goodnight.

Tickets are free, but registration is recommended.