Spinning university research into new companies and jobs

The Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship is the nexus for startup companies at the University of Kentucky. With offices in ASTeCC and downtown Lexington, the Von Allmen Center provides ongoing support and services for UK faculty, clinicians, staff and students – and community entrepreneurs – who want to start a business based on their research and ideas.

Services include market research, commercialization assessment, assistance with business plans and marketing strategies, connections to vetted service providers, and access to federal, state and private funding sources including the federal SBIR-STTR programs and the state SBIR-STTR matching awards.

Working closely with our local, state, federal, and private partners, the Von Allmen Center helps build an entrepreneurial culture at UK and in the community. The Von Allmen Center is part of the Bluegrass Business Development Partnership with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and Commerce Lexington, and co-sponsors the Lexington Venture Club, the premier networking event for entrepreneurs, service providers and investors. Our campus Bench-to-Business forums foster cross campus communication among entrepreneurial faculty and students. Von Allmen Center workshops and seminars provide educational opportunities to learn from successful entrepreneurs and business experts. The Bluegrass Angels and Bluegrass Angel venture funds provide early-stage capital and mentoring.

The Von Allmen Center ASTeCC office is a member of the EDA University Center Program. The downtown office, the Lexington Innovation & Commercialization Center, is part of the Kentucky Office of Commercialization & Innovation ICC statewide network.

Read about some of our success stories in the Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship brochure (pdf).

Von Allmen Center client services include:

Business planning

• Assess intellectual property/commercialization potential
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis
• Assist in business plan development and financial analysis

Connections

• Provide ongoing management assistance
• Refer to vetted service providers
• Provide access to incubator space

Funding

• Develop funding roadmap
• Provide access to state and private funding resources
• Guide investor presentation development