Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation (KSTC)

🔔 On Wednesday, January 29 the Kentucky Innovation Hubs will give the first public update for the new year. Join us at 10 a.m. ET / 9 a.m. CT to hear from leaders of the six regional innovation hubs and the latest startup news from around the commonwealth. We'll hear from: Amplify Startups Awesome Inc Blue North CREATE: Central Region Ecosystem for Arts, Technology, and Entrepreneurship Shaping Our Appalachian Region, Inc. (SOAR) Sprocket Innovation

Over the past year, we've made significant strides elevating Kentucky’s profile in innovative technologies such as additive manufacturing, cutting-edge research, and talent development. These notable achievements underscore our commitment to fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem: KSTC secured a $1M NSF Engines Development Award to exponentially grow Kentucky's additive manufacturing capabilities. We received $8.25M from the NSF to boost Kentucky’s research infrastructure through the Kentucky Commercialization Ventures EDGE program. KSTC team members received national recognition, earning the National Science Board Science and Society Award and the DOD Nunn-Perry Award. Learn more about these achievements in our latest Impact Report.

It’s been an incredible year for KSTC. By fostering an environment where knowledge, talent and innovation flourish, we’ve advanced toward our vision of the future – one where Kentucky is recognized as a national and international leader in innovation and technology-based economic development. We've won highly-competitive grants and national awards, and we've developed new partnerships to help our innovation ecosystem thrive. We invite you to take a look at our latest Impact Report to see a snapshot of what we've accomplished together and the potential for what's ahead in 2025.

Our NSF-funded AMT team had an amazing visit this week to Somerset Community College where students can learn DfAM, plastic and metal additive manufacturing (AM), concrete additive manufacturing and discover how to make AM materials using waste products such as bottles, bourbon waste (Of course, it’s in Kentucky!) and more. VR-based training is being applied to practical topics such as assembly, preparation for welding and visualizing 2D blueprints into 3D. The KCTCS system implements a lot of ingenious thinking and application development to enable students to apply innovation to AM while learning employable skills to take to the workplace. They have already trained more than 1,000 high school students, 250 teachers and 2,500 community college students and there’s no stopping them now! ---------- NSF Engines Development Award: Advancing manufacturing and building construction technologies KY, WV, OH This material is based upon work supported by the NSF Engines Development Award: Advancing manufacturing and building construction technologies KY, WV, OH funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). #additivemanufacturing #3dprinting

By collaborating with companies, universities help accelerate the transition of ideas into the world, maximizing their social and economic impact. During the next Startup Resources Series webinar on Tuesday, December 17 at 10 a.m. ET / 9 a.m. CT, we’ll hear two university experts — Landon Borders with UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky and Jessica Sharon with University of Louisville Research and Innovation — share how they are working with Kentucky startups. We'll also hear updates from KY Innovation at the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and the CREATE: Central Region Ecosystem for Arts, Technology, and Entrepreneurship innovation hub.

Our KY VALOR team is making huge strides in creating a unique, highly-skilled talent pipeline in Kentucky. They've placed 100 service members in civilian careers in the commonwealth, and with with more than 1,500 in the recruitment pipeline they are just getting started.

Our Kentucky Commercialization Ventures team continues to grow! Please extend a warm welcome to Christy Stanley who joins as KCV's new Grants Coordinator. Christy will be working on the new KCV EDGE program expanding capacity for securing and administering research grants at Kentucky higher education institutions. Welcome, Christy! 👋

📆 The next Startup Resources Series webinar is Tuesday, November 19 at 10 a.m. ET 9 a.m. CT. Join us to hear Scott Broughton, executive director, discuss the Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership (KY-MEP) and its new Catalyst Equipment Program. KY-MEP is a statewide, nonprofit organization that offers assistance and training to help manufacturers of all sizes expand, enhance their manufacturing and business strategies, adopt advanced technologies, boost productivity, reduce costs, and improve competitiveness. Discover how their expertise and bridge capital can help your startup clients save both time and money.   We will also have an update on the latest from our Awesome Inc innovation hub. https://lnkd.in/gYZ4Y2wW

Say hello to Autumn Rice who recently joined us to lead operations at Keyhorse Capital. In this role she'll be supporting the expansion of funding opportunities for Kentucky entrepreneurs. Welcome, Autumn!

Backed by capital, resources and support organizations including Kentucky's regional innovation hubs, founders are moving forward in every area of the commonwealth. The latest State of Startups: Kentucky report highlights this momentum with the most recent wins, exits and startup news from around the state, including updates from Sunflower Fuels, BumptUp Labs App, Complet3D and more. Get the scoop 🔽