RISE FY24

Efforts of the University of Kentucky (UK) Office of Technology Commercialization and Launch Blue (LB) teams will be directed toward the following aims: • Startup Lexington The UK team will support the mission of Startup Lexington to highlight, connect, and facilitate the startup ecosystem in Lexington, KY. Work toward this aim will include hosting the weekly Startup Breakfast event series, publication of the StartupLex News & Events newsletter, management of StartupLex social media accounts, updating the public StartupLex events calendar, and liaising with other startup ecosystems to cross-promote events, share opportunities, and serve startup clients. Work toward this aim will additionally include work articulated in the “KY Innovation Hubs - Inclusivity Plan and Marketing & Communication Strategy”, including: • StartupLex social media campaigns aimed to highlight and elevate ecosystem stakeholders from minority and underrepresented groups • Launch Blue Ventures (LBV) The UK team will execute on the mission of Launch Blue Ventures to facilitate capital formation, funding of startups, and the overall investment ecosystem in Kentucky. Work toward this aim will include: o Sustainable Support for LBV: The UK team and partners will seek funding and develop partnerships to build and sustainably support the mission of Launch Blue Ventures. o Pipeline Development: LBV will support Launch Blue clients and Launch Blue capital partners by providing coaching services for startups seeking investment. Coaching services will be focused on pitch deck contents, investment instruments, and terms, startup fundraising strategy, corporate structure and governance, professional services, etc. o Launch Blue Capital Partner Development: LBV will actively develop relationships with investment groups throughout the US with the goal of increasing the visibility of KY startups to national startup funding partners and will disseminate information about investment opportunities with Launch Blue Ventures portfolio startups via periodic updates. Work toward this aim will additionally include work articulated in the “KY Innovation Hubs - Inclusivity Plan and Marketing & Communication Strategy”, including: • Launch Blue Ventures will design and host as “Emerging Investor Academy.” This event will focus on educating minority and underrepresented individuals looking to enter the world of Angel/VC investing.