Awesome Inc, the innovation Hub for the Central Kentucky region has been engaging, growing, and launching entrepreneurs for over 15 years. Throughout this school year, we have been especially mindful in providing opportunities to fill the gap in entrepreneurship education and experience by targeting our youth and providing the resources to take the first step in entrepreneurship by presenting in classes, hosting Startup Weekend, and partnering with local colleges to launch or support existing Entrepreneurship Clubs. Through this work, we were connecting with entrepreneurial students who expressed an interest in creating and launching their own businesses in the Bluegrass.

Awesome Inc was ecstatic to partner with Transylvania University’s Center for Entrepreneurship. Through this partnership we were able to expand entrepreneurial opportunities to every single student on campus. “Not every business student, not the students in the e-club, but EVERY STUDENT here at Transy received Unbridled Spirit Volume 1 & 2. We gave these away as part of the re-launch of the new center with a goal to get all students excited about business ownership and entrepreneurship - even if they don't currently think that is their path in life.” Shared Kaelyn Query, Center Director. “No matter a student’s major or their future career desires, I firmly believe that the skills you learn in entrepreneurship are translatable across all sectors of business and are invaluable to students as they enter the workforce post-graduation.”

The Unbridled Spirit Volume 1 & 2 contain the inspiring stories of entrepreneurs inducted into the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame, which is celebrating its 15th year this November. Inductees from the first 10 cohorts comprise volume 1 and 2, and their stories were built through innovation, time, and relentless focus on success.

Every single Transylvania University student received these books and will have the opportunity to read the inspiring stories of entrepreneurs who have contributed to our Commonwealth. Through these stories, we hope students will see potential pathways and inspiration to launch their own business.

“Access to information, ideas and inspiration is a critical component of personal and professional development. In a society heavily focused on influencers and quick results, it is immensely valuable to read the stories of the Hall of Famers in Unbridled Spirit to see that long term sustainable and highly profitable startups have been created here in our Commonwealth.” Mackenzie Hanes, Awesome Inc Partnership Manager. “I am excited to see our educational partners leaning into providing access to this content to help guide our next generation of founders through the classroom and forward thinking programs like the one we are supporting at Transylvania University.”

Want to get involved with entrepreneurial endeavors in Kentucky? There are a few ways to do so on Awesome Inc’s website:

• Community Events
• I Have an Idea Form
• Schedule a Tour

Further updates on the initiatives resulting from this collaboration will be shared in the near future.

About Awesome Inc:

Awesome Inc is a startup accelerator, technology education company, and co-working space located in Lexington, Kentucky. Since its inception in 2009, Awesome Inc's mission has been to help people pursue their definition of awesome by offering community events, technology education courses, and a collaborative co-working environment.

Entrepreneurs from across the Commonwealth of Kentucky are honored and celebrated every November through the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in partnership with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. For more information on the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame, please visit: https://entrepreneurhof.com/

For more information about the Transylvania University Center for Entrepreneurship, please visit: https://www.transy.edu/academics/center-for-entrepreneurship/