Last week, Kentucky Commercialization Ventures (KCV) concluded its annual roadshow, visiting universities across Kentucky, including Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Northern Kentucky University and Western Kentucky University. The roadshow was designed to connect faculty, staff, and students with the resources and support they need to turn research into market-ready products that benefit the public. Note: Dates have been rescheduled for Murray State University (March 24) and Morehead State University (March 25).
KCV's Key Programs and Initiatives
During these visits, KCV showcased several initiatives designed to encourage innovation and leadership. Notable programs featured during the roadshow included the IMPACT Competition, which offers funding and resources to support innovative products, and the KCV Fellowship Program, designed to provide mentorship and training for emerging entrepreneurs. KCV also introduced newly launched website resources to help users easily access valuable commercialization tools.
The IMPACT Competition, which closes March 28, was a major highlight of the event. This competition, which rewards the most innovative projects across the state, offers funding and resources to help turn ideas into market-ready solutions. Innovators across Kentucky are selected each year to receive financial support, which can help them enable their ideas and launch their products. The goal is to encourage ideation and innovative thinking by helping financially support these projects.
KCV also showcased its Fellowship Program. This program is a six-week course that provides participants with mentorship, startup materials, and coaching sessions designed to help them refine their ideas and turn them into real world business pitches. Participants may qualify for a $1,000 stipend upon completion. Applications for the next cohort close March 12.
Students, faculty and staff at any KCV partner institution are eligible to apply for KCV programs.
The KCV team also highlighted one of the key challenges in Kentucky’s innovation environment — the gap between R1 universities, such as the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, and smaller institutions that lack dedicated tech transfer offices. KCV works directly with universities like Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), providing the resources and support they need to bring their research to market.
KCV assisted EKU's Dr. Jamie Fredericks in securing a patent for his DNA collection tool and helped find a third-party licensee to bring his invention to market.
KCV Executive Director Kayla Meisner highlighted a successful example of this collaboration with EKU’s Dr. Jamie Fredericks. KCV assisted in securing a patent for his DNA collection tool and helped find a third-party licensee to bring his invention to market. By licensing the technology instead of selling it outright, Dr. Fredericks can generate revenue while reinvesting in EKU's research infrastructure.
Through funding, innovation and entrepreneurship training, and advocacy for smaller universities that don’t have tech transfer offices, KCV aims to close the research funding gap that hinders Kentucky’s growth.