Launch Blue

?? ???????? ???????????????? ???????? ?? ???????????????? ?????????? ??????????????????! Thank you, Launch Blue Accelerator! ?? Wednesday, I had the honor of meeting my fellow graduates and the incredible people who made this accelerator possible. ?? ?? ?????? ???????????? ??’?? ?????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ???????????????? ??????: ?? Feeling empowered by a growing network of amazing people ?? Learning more about diverse funding strategies available to me ?? Gaining confidence in my financial story as I prepare for fundraising When I started, I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but I did know that with the guidance of Serenity Wright and her expertise in social innovation, we’d all level up—and that’s exactly what happened. ?? ?? ??????, ?? ???????? ?????????? ???? ???????????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ??????????????????: ?? Pre-seed fundraising in February/March 2025. This program helped me gain clarity and confidence in the path ahead. ?? A huge thank-you to the incredible Launch Blue and Invest Blue Angel Network team (Laura Russell-Halligan, Erin Shea, Raechele Smalls, Eric Hartman, Jake Miller + more), my fellow participants (Andrew Bliss, Ayesha Kazi, JP Spencer, William P. Meehan, Jr., Ecoshell LLC, ASL Aspire), and especially to my Advisor in Residence, Vicki Martin—I learned so much from you on this journey. You’re the best! ???? __________________________________________ ?? Hi, I'm?Anya N. Smith, MBA, MS ?? – Founder of SelfFull. We’re on a mission to create an?????-?????????????? ???????????????????????????? ????????????? ??????????????, designed to: → ???????????????? ?????? ???????of their work → Optimize time/resource flow and ???????????? ?????????????????????? → ?????????????? ?????? ??????????, ?????? ???????????????through personalized, AI-powered experiences that showcase your coaching style and value. ???Follow us?to see how we’re bringing this tool to life! #Gratitude #LaunchBlue #Entrepreneurship #FundraisingJourney

Congratulations to our Fall 2024 UAccel Quick Start + I-Corps Cohort Perseverance Award winner, Madison Bates from the UKY Pigman College of Engineering Career and Co-op Center! Sometimes, our plans A through F don’t come to fruition, and it’s at that moment where you have two choices: to tap out or figure out plan G. Throughout her UAccel journey, Madison has faced a lot of challenges – from juggling her dissertation and research work, to now strategizing next steps for her innovation. Despite some setbacks, and having to pause and re-engage, not only has she finished strong, she has managed to leverage her connections to shadow the boots on the ground that opened her eyes to the ins and outs of her stakeholders. Congratulations! UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky

Congratulations to our Fall 2024 UAccel Quick Start + I-Corps Cohort Customer Discovery Award winner, Douglas Long from the University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences! Customer Discovery is a methodology. It is more than "just conversations." It is a proven semi formal structure to collect qualitative data to make informed business decisions. In order to do this successfully, you must put aside all assumptions, all previously known information, and listen and learn without preconceived notions. Documentation of the interviews must also be done methodically to allow for appropriate coding of information. The intent is to document as much information as possible and then apply an evaluative lens to code the information. This is a different mindset than documenting what has already been determined as relevant and important information. Doug has demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the customer discovery process as a methodology. His approach, documentation, and data analysis is to be applauded. Congratulations! UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky

Congratulations to our Fall 2024 UAccel Quick Start + I-Corps Cohort Pivot Award winners, Soroosh Torabi, Ph.D + Mohammad Dehghan Banadaki, Ph.D, from the UKY Pigman College of Engineering Career and Co-op Center. In order for an idea to develop, it must grow and change. Sometimes, it can be hard to accept that change. This award is given to the innovator who genuinely engages in the customer discovery process by listening and making changes to address customers’ needs. Soroosh and Mohammed leaned into their customer discovery findings and made changes on who to target first after testing their initial assumptions. For their diligence and commitment to refining their pathway forward, the pivot award goes to Soroosh and Mohammed. Congratulations! UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky

On National Entrepreneur Day, we’re celebrating the innovative minds driving Kentucky forward. At UK Innovate, we're proud to work with entrepreneurs who are turning bold ideas into impactful businesses.

Congratulations to our graduates of the Fall 2024 UAccel Quick Start + I-Corps Cohort! Douglas Long: University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences Hasan Poonawala, Ph.D: University of Kentucky College of Engineering Ke'La Porter, Ph.D + Nick Heebner, Ph.D: University of Kentucky Sports Medicine Research Institute Madison Bates + Sridhar Sunderam, Ph.D: UKY Pigman College of Engineering Career and Co-op Center Nicholas Caporusso, Ph.D + Nga Phan + Hami (My) Doan + Joseph Ampfer + Cong Ha + Logan Hart, MPA + Rita Ghimire + Olivia Kennedy + Oshan Maharjan: Northern Kentucky University Scott M. Berry, Ph.D + Soroosh Torabi, Ph.D + Mohammad Dehghan Banadaki, Ph.D: UKY Pigman College of Engineering Career and Co-op Center Read more about the cohort: https://loom.ly/hVoY3L4 UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky

?? Is your technology a good fit for NSF funding? Perfect your pitch with our team during a webinar on Wednesday, November 20 at 11 a.m. ET / 10 a.m. CT. You'll receive a personalized review of your pitch so you can complete a successful proposal for non-dilutive funding from the NSF. Register now: https://lnkd.in/gpdCpnt3

It’s inspirational to sit in the same room as entrepreneurs in the various stages of their entrepreneurial journeys-from those very early, to those that are in the trenches trying to scale and grow, to those that have been in the ecosystem for a long time. Then we have the next generation of entrepreneurs that have bravely ventured out into this whole world. Thank you to Awesome Inc for inviting us to be part of tonight’s program! Feni Kadakia, PhD Chelsea Ex-Lubeskie Meg Brennan Raechele Smalls Shane Hadden Madison Bates Sarisha Lohano Launch Blue UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky

Join us on November 20th, after the Commerce Lex Summit, for the Invest Blue Networking Reception powered by Launch Blue! Connect with the new Invest Blue angel investor syndicate, where Kentucky-focused investors and startups come together. To register for an afternoon of networking with startup companies from the Lexington-based Launch Blue Accelerator program, follow the link below! https://lnkd.in/g5UhbADn Also, check out the Invest Blue event page for more information on the Invest Blue Networking Reception and other upcoming events: https://lnkd.in/gPV89UMg Launch Blue, Eric Hartman, Raechele Smalls, Commerce Lexington Inc.,UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky, KY Innovation, Kentucky Science & Engineering Foundation, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, Kentucky Small Business Development Center, Kentucky Commercialization Ventures, Keyhorse Capital, Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation (KSTC)

Today at noon ET! Come join us as we share more about our Spring 2025 UAccel Quick Start + I-Corps Program. UAccel Quick Start + I-Corps offers professional development and an experiential learning opportunity to innovators who are interested in learning the best commercialization path for their solutions. The goal of the program is to advance an innovation toward commercialization, including preparations for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants or National Innovation Corps applications, creation of a startup, or partnering with an established company to license the technology. Register @ launchblue.org/uaccel