Innovation In Every Corner
The Kentucky Innovation Hubs program was updated in 2024 to ensure more comprehensive services, while avoiding any signs of slowed momentum across the state.
“A remapping of how Kentucky’s 120 counties are covered by six innovation hub regions,” which took effect in July 2024, has set the stage for ample access to all the resources an entrepreneur could dream of, anywhere in the Bluegrass State. Just over $3 million in total funding is allocated based on the population of each hub’s service area.
“This represents an important opportunity to strengthen and grow the hubs’ roles as the front door for all entrepreneurs and startups in their regions, while also capitalizing on Kentucky’s unprecedented economic development momentum,” said Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary Jeff Noel.
SOAR
Non-profit organization Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) leads the largest hub in the KY Innovation Hubs network, encompassing 29 counties across Eastern Kentucky. “The vast, rural region’s experience with coal production also cultivated communities who know a thing or two about working together to harness vital resources.”
Rural living presents its challenges, creating obstacles that have long bred ingenuity throughout this region of the state. Today, assets such as SOAR make it easier to bring homegrown ideas to scale.
“We have people in this region that have worked extremely hard. They’ve gone underneath mountains and run massive machinery to extract coal, gas and more,” said SOAR Chief Operating Officer Joshua Ball. “It’s not that innovation doesn’t exist here, we’re just recalibrating it and showing that it can be applied to other areas.”
Ball noted, “innovative ideas aren’t based upon zip code,” and neither are Kentucky’s entrepreneurs. A majority of counties within the SOAR Innovation Hub are made up of distressed communities, which presents a steeper mountain for most to climb. But it’s not a journey that is pursued alone as a state-wide ecosystem has been built to deliver the necessary tools and services regardless of location.
“While we’re mandated to serve the counties in our region, we’re not doing it alone,” said Ball. “There are resources and expertise not only with the state, but with our fellow hubs and ecosystem partners. We build relationships, identify strengths and potential weaknesses in our respective areas, and are able to work together to fill those gaps.”
From 2023 to 2024, the SOAR Innovation Hub served 603 startups, saw 19 startups advance, 15 new businesses created and $721,000 invested into Eastern Kentucky startups. Free business training courses, networking events, funding opportunities, coaching and mentorship are readily available to entrepreneurs at any stage.
AWESOME INC
Based in Lexington, tech incubator Awesome Inc now brings together 28 counties within its innovation hub. Prior to gaining an expanded portfolio, the organization serviced nine counties in northeastern Kentucky. During 2023, Awesome Inc served 251 companies, taught 114 students how to code and drew 2,640 attendees across 78 events.
The mission to aid in the development and growth of high-tech startups began 16 years ago for Awesome Inc, which has developed a fleet of programs to inspire all ages. The organization has a focus on fostering tech talent young, creating initiatives like week-long camps for children to gain an introduction to coding. Participants are given the knowledge to create their own video game, website or mobile app, while building project presentation skills at the same time.
Youth and adults interested in building a career in tech through avenues such as web development, AI and cybersecurity can take advantage of courses with up-to-date curriculum at their own pace. These skill-building tools aim to direct participants toward internships or aid in a seamless career switch.
Awesome Inc’s 18,000-sq.-ft. workspace in the city offers a gathering place for innovators to meet for events, assemble in a conference room or reserve private office space at any time. It is additionally where entrepreneurs can carry out a one-year Awesome Inc Fellowship, which provides startups with access to mentors, investors, business development tools and legal assistance. To date, 86 portfolio companies have gone through the program, raising $158.8 million in outside investments.
Aside from mentorship and networking opportunities, entrepreneurs and startups can go through Awesome Inc to gain funding for their ideas. The Cherub Fund offers investments smaller than $10,000 to early-stage startups, while the Awesome Fund offers pre-seed and seed stage funding between $50,000 and $250,000. The most unique funding opportunity can be explored through the organization’s 5 Across pitch competition, in which five participants are selected to provide a five-minute pitch of their idea for a chance to receive a $500 cash prize in addition to a $5,000 investment.
BLUE NORTH
With 17 counties now under Bluegrass Northern Kentucky’s (Blue North) belt, the innovation hub is set to continue its efforts of cultivating a regional business ecosystem that works together to address opportunity barriers faced by entrepreneurs looking to get started.
Innovation begins with an idea, although where to move next can become murky. Blue North’s programs, like its Resilience Accelerator, provide support from the ground up. Developed by clinical psychologist Dr. Lina Ehlinger, the program focuses on the mental health of innovators in the region. It provides tools and advice to aid navigating stress management, conflict resolution and emotional regulation for startup founders.
Motivation to build upon innovative ideas can additionally be accessed by tapping into the region’s network of like-minded individuals. In creating Blue North’s SuperHive newsletter, residents gain insight into the needs of their community and explore ways to connect on a weekly basis. The platform allows residents to gain feedback and support and find resources to bring their ideas to the next level by submitting questions or offers to the network.
By July 2025, Blue North looks to replicate the SuperHive initiative in a physical gathering space. SparkHaus will operate as an entrepreneurial hub, bridging the gap between innovators, investors and support teams in Northern Kentucky. The $16 million project investment will bring new life to a historic 48,000-sq.-ft. former Sims Furniture Building in Covington. The space will house over 30 private offices, conference rooms and event space for seed-stage startups and beyond.
AMPLIFY
“We often hear people say, ‘I planned to stay for two years, and here I am 20 years later.’ That sense of community is powerful,” said Amplify Co-Founder and CEO Larry Horn.
The Louisville-based innovation hub has grown to serve 12 counties in the state, representing 27% of Kentucky’s population. Horn notes that this region brings a unique mix of challenges and opportunities, as many residents are historically underserved in terms of tech-enabled, venture-backable ventures. The innovation hub’s growth has opened doors to new community stakeholders, founders and investors to boost Amplify’s existing resources and platform.
The most sought-after resources in these counties are mentorship, coaching from Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs) and access to capital. Amplify’s EIRs, existing through a partnership with the University of Louisville, are uniquely positioned to provide tailored guidance, as they often come from the same regions they serve, bringing firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the communities they support.
Amplify’s online platform creates a virtual community, extends programs tailored specifically to its residents and creates industry partnerships to meet founders where they are in their venture. With entrepreneurial activity on the rise in areas such as health care, logistics, consumer products and industrial innovation, Amplify is focused on spotlighting gaps in programmatic and capital stacks.
CREATE
The Central Region Ecosystem for Arts, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CREATE) serves 12 counties from its headquarters at the Western Kentucky University Innovation Campus in Bowling Green.
It is here that innovators can take advantage of the WKU Collaborative SmartSpace, which provides a 24/7, 30,000-sq.-ft. facility to work, meet and network with creatives. As entrepreneurs aim to expand, the WKU Small Business Accelerator is stationed to support startups and early stage companies.
Participants gain access to CREATE’s portfolio of local, regional and state business development resources to hit the ground running. Whether needs include business development counseling, training, mentorship or prototyping, entrepreneurs can customize their business needs at any time. As of now, the WKU Small Business Accelerator is home to over 20 startup companies.
As one’s business finds momentum, CREATE offers its CO/CREATE Talent Database which compiles individuals interested in working in Kentucky and connects them to companies looking to expand or move into the region. It additionally creates a platform to connect entrepreneurs who are looking to pursue a new venture together based on areas of expertise.
SPROCKET
Sprocket spearheads providing services to startups and entrepreneurs across a 22-county region in West Kentucky. Regardless of whether one is crafting an idea, ready to launch or prepared to exit, Sprocket has an established base of programs, support and community to see a business through.
Located in Paducah, the organization has helped support 50 startups, 44% of which are minority- or women-owned. This activity has led to more than $4.2 million invested into local startups and the creation of 182 jobs.
For startups looking to relocate to the state, Sprocket offers its Next50K Startup Pitch Competition. Entrepreneurs selected to compete can earn $50,000 toward needs like market research, branding, training and product development. This year, the competition focuses on health care startups, as finalists are connected to its Healthcare Advisory Council for industry-focused mentors and investors.
Residents looking to break into a new venture can participate in Sprocket’s West Kentucky Innovation Challenge. The six-week program provides hands-on training to build skills in areas such as idea development and customer discovery while receiving expert coaching to refine a business idea. At the end of the program participants can enter into a pitch competition to help launch their startup.
Aside from these, the organization has a plethora of events and programs on rotation to fit the needs of any budding entrepreneur either online or in person.
