Vogt Awards

Meet our 2022 Vogt Awards Cohort

Pictured left to right: Waleed Bahouth, Erik Anderson, Jennifer Mason, Lecresha Sewell, TaMeka Bland, Roland Achenjang, Akhil Suresh Nair | Photo credit: Jolea Brown, Creative Photography LLC

The Community Foundation of Louisville is thrilled to announce the recipients of our 22nd annual Vogt Invention and Innovation Awards. These six, early-stage industry disruptors will receive $25,000 in non-dilutive grant funding, participation in a 10-week accelerator program, startup coaching, mentorship from industry veterans, strategic introductions and recognition, all designed to boost their growth and take their tech-enabled businesses to the next level. We’re excited to share that this year’s recipients represent the program’s first majority minority cohort — 83% are minority/founders of color and 50% are women-founded.The Vogt Awards will culminate with Demo Day on Thursday, Oct. 13, at 5 p.m. at The Speed Art Museum. Join us for networking, live presentations by company founders, and an in-person reunion with the Louisville startup community.

The Vogt Awards will culminate with Demo Day on Thursday, October 15th, at 5 PM at the Speed Art Museum. Learn more about our Vogt Award receipients and register for Demo Day.

Thank you 2022 Vogt Awards Selection Committee!

Back row pictured left to right: Christian Miller; Demetrius Gray; Alice Shade; Brett Moreno; Steven Plappert; Jake Miller; Mario Mazzone; Buddy Bockweg; and Telepriore “Greg” Tucker Ph.D. Front row pictured left to right: Phoebe Wood; Greg Langdon; Tendai Charasika; (Chair) Monique Quarterman; Angelique Johnson Ph.D.; and (Program Director) Lisa Bajorinas | Photo credit: Community Foundation of Louisville

Congratulations to the 22nd annual Vogt Award recipients! These six early-stage businesses were chosen by a selection committee made up of leading entrepreneurs and investors in the startup community, and past Vogt Award recipients. This innovative, passionate group of trailblazers are experts in their fields and have firsthand experience in what it takes to build a company from the ground up. The committee was led by Chair Monique Quarterman, one of Kentucky’s most recognized leaders in innovation. Monique serves as Deputy Executive Director for Kentucky Innovation at the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. 

Competition was tough this year, and narrowing the field to six companies was an enormous challenge. We want to thank each committee member for their leadership, guidance, and thoughtful consideration throughout the selection process. 

Committee members were:

• Buddy Bockweg, Vsimple
• Michael Boone, yLoft
• Tendai Charasika, Saling Wealth Advisors/UofL Entrepreneur-in-Residence
• Demetrius Gray, Captain
• Lydia Henshaw, Resolv
• Angelique Johnson, MEMStim
• Raffi Kayat, Borderless
• Greg Langdon, startup advisor and investor
• Christian Miller, Venture First
• Jake Miller, Toggle Health
• Brett Moreno, Anteriad
• Steven Plappert, Forecastr
• Mario Mazzone, KSTC–Keyhorse Capital
• Chris Redd, Baptist Health/Network ‘N Chill
• Alice Shade, 4 Aventures/UofL Entrepreneur-in-Residence
• Telpriore “Greg” Tucker, UofL Research & Innovation
• Phoebe Wood, CompaniesWood

The Tremendous Legacy behind the Vogt Awards

The Vogt Invention & Innovation Fund and Awards was established in 1999 through an endowment generously created by Henry V. Heuser Sr. This long-standing and prestigious program aims to strengthen Louisville’s economic health by supporting innovative startups and inspiring entrepreneurship.

It’s an incredible story of generosity supporting a long-term vision that benefits economic development in our community.

Learn more about the legacy behind the Vogt Awards.