Launch Blue Technology Showcase Will Feature 8 UK Technologies
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 13, 2021) – Launch Blue, a nonequity seeking pre-seed accelerator program that aims to launch nationally competitive Kentucky startups, will be premiering its first Technology Showcase in mid-July. The showcase will spotlight innovators through a virtual exhibit on LaunchBlue.org. It will take participants on a journey through the innovators' development and commercialization process by utilizing engaging articles and visual elements.
The Launch Blue Technology Showcase will serve as a digital magazine detailing the innovators’ expertise and technology. In addition, various innovations cover multiple industries, from medicine and biotech to mobile apps and consumer tech.
Eight out of the 10 participants will be University of Kentucky-affiliated innovators who work with the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) and graduated from the UKAccel program administered by Launch Blue. The UK-affiliated startups and innovators participating are AmDx PrognostX (Steve and Aaron Carrithers), Cellect Microfluidics (Christine Trinkle), Cellie Coping Company (Meghan Marsac), Jared Hammill, MiMetico (Carrie Shaffer), X10D (Wes Anderson), X-Met (Kevin Huburt and Josh Werner), and Wild Dog Physics (Janelle Molloy). The first non-UK-affiliated innovator participating is Jason Marion with startup ColiGlow. Marion graduated from UAccel and developed his technology at Eastern Kentucky University and Kentucky Commercialization Ventures supported and mentored ColiGlow. The second non-UK-affiliated innovator is Fresh Eyes Solution (Kelly Wright), who participated in the Launch Blue Accelerator.
“We are proud of the innovators who have put so much time and effort into determining the best commercialization paths for these UK technologies. The Technology Showcase provides an opportunity to view their work and the benefits of the UAccel program,” said Taunya Phillips, director of the Office of Technology Commercialization. “The Launch Blue team has been excitedly looking forward to this showcase so that attendees can have the opportunity to see Launch Blue UAccel participants technologies and read their stories. This event is the culmination of hard work by the participants and the Launch Blue team to position these innovations for future success.”
You can learn more about any of the technologies or connect with the innovators by accessing the Launch Blue Technology Showcase here.
On July 15, Launch Blue is hosting their first Demo Day, where startups will take center stage. The startups participating in Demo Day will be raising a seed or pre-seed round before the end of the year. Accredited investors can also schedule one-on-one meetings with startup founders. You can view the premiere of the pitch video at 10 a.m. EDT Thursday, July 15, here.
“We’re immensely proud of the hard work of our innovators and founders and the impact that their technology will have on the world,” said Laura Halligan, executive director of Launch Blue. “We cannot wait to share their work with you. We hope you join us for both the Tech Showcase and Demo Day.”
Launch Blue nurtures the most promising Kentucky founders with scalable technology-based startups through an intensive accelerator and incubator program.
The Office of Technology Commercialization manages intellectual property, commercialization, licensing and startup portfolios for UK. The core mission of the OTC is to advance innovations that make a difference.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.