December 31, 2024
The Lexington Times AWESOME INC CELEBRATES 15 YEARS
Raney and Luke Murray were inspired to embark on a journey of entrepreneurship after meeting with the University of Kentucky’s President, Lee Todd. He gave them confidence and permission to fail; which was all they needed to take the dive into the unknown.
Two years later, Brian and Luke teamed up with Nathan Fort, Nick Such, and Rachel Cunningham to form Awesome Inc, born with the goal of building an entrepreneurial community in Kentucky so that others could pursue their definition of awesome.
Since then, Awesome Inc has launched programs like the 5 Across Pitch Competition,
the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame, Web Developer Bootcamp, the Awesome Fellowship startup accelerator, and the Awesome Fund.
Through this programming, 179 Kentuckians have changed their lives by learning to code, 86 Kentucky startups have grown through the Fellowship, and over 375 founders have been given a new platform to pitch on at 5 Across.
Looking ahead to the next 15 years, Brian Raney says, “The potential for our startup community in Kentucky is beyond what we can imagine. We can’t wait to help so many more pursue their definition of awesome!”
7 Years Strong: Awesome Inc, Kinetic Partnership a Boon for Startups
Author: Megan Krtek | Marketing Manager at Kinetic
Kinetic, a provider of residential and small business internet across 18 states, is proud to partner once again with Lexington-based tech incubator, Awesome Inc.
The partnership includes free, high-speed fiber internet for Awesome Inc, as well as the entrepreneurs who utilize the organization’s workspace and who may need the speeds one would find at a big-tech corporate headquarters, according to Kevin Mansur, director of strategic relationships at Awesome Inc.
The partnership also underscores Kinetic’s commitment to championing local entrepreneurs, startups and small
businesses in the rural and suburban communities it serves, empowering them to uncover new and emerging technological opportunities with high-speed internet.
“We know the crucial role reliable, high-speed internet plays in not only launching a business but helping them grow and reach the next level of success,” said Ben Midanek, Kinetic’s chief marketing officer, who was also a founder of two startups. “This is exactly the reason why Kinetic continues to invest in Awesome Inc—we see the thriving entrepreneurial spirit here and we want to help empower innovators, big ideas, bold action and creativity through technology and engineering.”
Kinetic has provided Awesome Inc fiber internet since 2017 to help empower entrepreneurs and business owners at every stage of their journey.
Our Core Values continue to guide us 15 years later!
IDEAS WANTED
Have an idea?
We want to help. Submit yours at awesomeinc.org/idea
Applications are open for the 5 Across Pitch Competition and Startup Accelerator STARTUPS WANTED
Always do something awesome over something not awesome RULE TO FOLLOW
RULE # 4
Then and Now
Awesome Inc has come a long way since 2009; from the green and yellow walls to the checkerboard floors, they’ve updated the workspace, the programming, and the technology to keep up with the ever-changing world of tech.
4 things that have never changed? Awesome Inc’s Core Values: Be Good, Be Excellent, Be a Friend, and Be You. These four values have remained at the heart of everything Awesome Inc does, no matter what changes around them.
The History of
