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IMPACT REPORT
JULY 1, 2022 - JUNE 30, 2023
Scroll to see highlights from the year or download the full report.
SUPPORTING THE THREE PILLARS OF KENTUCKY'S INNOVATION-DRIVEN ECONOMY
KSTC is a private, nonprofit corporation committed to accelerating innovative economic development in Kentucky, and our initiatives support the three pillars of a successful innovation-driven economy: research-driven products and services, access to capital, and talent.
FORTIFYING KENTUCKY'S COMPETITIVENESS FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
This year, we’ve been collaborating with our partners to ensure Kentucky is well-positioned to compete for an increasing number of federal funding opportunities through initiatives such as:
KSTC is a founding partner of the Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2), which launched in September 2022 bringing together a consortium of metals industry leaders to make Kentucky the preeminent destination for metals innovation.
In spring 2023, KSTC partnered with the KY Statewide EPSCoR Committee to develop the Kentucky Science & Technology Plan: Vision 2030, a seven-year roadmap to exponentially grow our state’s capacity for research and innovation.
KSTC led the Additive Manufacturing Forward Engine, which was selected as one of 16 Type-2 national finalists in the NSF Regional Innovation Engines competition and is a core partner in the University of Kentucky-led Type-1 GAME Change Engine, which received a $1M development grant. Each project could bring $160M to the region.
AdvanceKentucky works with school districts across Kentucky to provide professional development, mentoring and student recruitment to increase enrollment and success in STEM classrooms. This year, we expanded our reach with regional and national appointments to the College Board and Expanding Computing Educational Pathways Alliance.
IMPACT TO-DATE
6K+
Teachers Served
155K+
Students Enrolled
$27M+
Earned through Student Incentives, Teacher Stipends and Tuition Value
Kentucky Commercialization Ventures partners with public higher education institutions that do not have dedicated tech transfer resources to empower ideas that impact lives and transform the Commonwealth.
We do this through high-impact programs such as the IMPACT Competition, which received entries from all KCV partner institutions in 2023. We also provide consultation and support for establishing licensing agreements between innovators and schools, such as the one executed between Dr. Rachel Tinius/BumptUp Labs and WKU this year.
There have been so many situations where I would have had no idea how to navigate it independently. Having people who have done it before and know the nuances was invaluable.
DR. RACHEL TINIUS
CEO AND FOUNDER, BUMPTUP LABS & ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
BOWLING GREEN, KY
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The Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance (KYIPA) is a community of inventors, attorneys, businesses, universities, nonprofits, artists, educators and tinkerers who believe in the power of intellectual property (IP) to protect the innovations developed in Kentucky. This year we held our first in-person events including a Trademark Bootcamp in collaboration with the USPTO in Eastern Kentucky.
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Kentucky Science & Engineering Foundation (KSEF) removes barriers to SBIR/STTR funding for research and development that fuels technological and economic growth in the Commonwealth. This year we introduced three new agency-specific Proposal Labs (USDA, NSF and NIH) to support entrepreneurs seeking non-dilutive funding through America’s Seed Fund. Joshua Covington, founder of GradEd Gaming, completed the NSF Proposal Lab and submitted his proposal in only a month.
Any time I needed help, they were right there to help me. That kind of support is unheard of.
JOSHUA COVINGTON
CEO AND FOUNDER, GRADED GAMING
LOUISVILLE, KY
Kentucky's Innovation Hubs
KSTC’s support of Kentucky’s six regional Innovation Hubs enables the development of innovative technologies, companies, and quality jobs in communities throughout the Commonwealth.
We connect the Hubs to each other, to startup resources and programs including other KSTC initiatives, and educate them on best-in-class processes to deliver their services to their startup clients. This year we shined a light on Kentucky’s startup wins through quarterly public updates and media outreach.
Keyhorse Capital invests seed and early-stage venture capital to support entrepreneurs willing to build and scale innovative companies in Kentucky. This year, we expanded access to capital through two new initiatives: Kentucky’s Idea Fund, which offers pre-seed funding to startups exhibiting high growth potential, and KSBCI 2.0, which in partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development brings $117M in federal funds to Kentucky business owners.
IMPACT TO-DATE
$45M
in Investments
$90K
Average Salary for New Jobs Created
$1.5B
in Follow-On Capital
The Kentucky APEX Accelerator promotes inclusive economic development across Kentucky by assisting companies in providing products and/or services to federal, state and local governments and agencies. Our clients are located throughout the state, such as Tony Cole, founder of SenezCo in Nicholasville, KY, who we helped secure their first federal award this year.
I came across the KY APEX Accelerator searching for help and support. Eric and his team not only helped me finalize my registration with SAM.gov but also helped develop my statement of capabilities and introduced me to various small business advocates.
TONY COLE
FOUNDER AND VICE PRESIDENT of U.S. OPERATIONS, SENEZCO
NICHOLASVILLE, KY
KY VALOR (Veterans Accelerated Licensure Occupational Recruitment) helps veterans capitalize on their military experience to meet career goals and find a fulfilling post-service career in Kentucky.
Our team actively recruits service members and their spouses to open positions in Kentucky to fill workforce gaps and build a unique talent pipeline throughout the state. We take a personal, one-on-one approach to match service members with open jobs and communities based on their unique experience and career goals.
IMPACT TO-DATE
138
Employer Partnerships Established
367
Service Members and Spouses in Recruitment Pipeline
58%
of Recruitment Pipeline Outside of Kentucky
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
PROGRAM FUNDERS
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Appalachian Regional Commission with SKED
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Code.org
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Fayette County Public Schools
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GEAR Up with Partners for Rural Impact
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Kentucky Department for Local Government
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Kentucky Department of Education
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KY Innovation at the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
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Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
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Raytheon
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University of Kentucky
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University of Louisville
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U.S. Department of Defense
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U.S. Small Business Administration FAST Program
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U.S. Department of Treasury
DONORS/MEMBERS
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Central Bank & Trust Company
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Eastern Kentucky University
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Jane and Terry Samuel
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Joanne Lang
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Lexmark International
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Murray State University
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University of Kentucky
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Western Kentucky University Research Foundation
WITH SUPPORT FROM
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Amplify Louisville
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Awesome Inc.
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Blue North
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Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce
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CREATE
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CSforALL
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Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation
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GroWest / Sprocket
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Kentucky Community & Technical College System
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Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation
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Kentucky State University
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Morehead State University
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National Math & Science Initiative
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Northern Kentucky University
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Representative DJ Johnson
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Senator David Givens
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Shaping our Appalachian Region (SOAR)
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Somerset Community College
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Southeast Kentucky Economic Development (SKED)
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Turner Construction
GET INVOLVED
Contact us to learn more about KSTC and how you can help build an innovation-driven economy for Kentucky.