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INNOVATION INSIDER
April 2026
| | Applications Open for Summer 2026 UAccel Cohort | | |
Applications are open for the Summer 2026 UAccel: AgTech I-Corps program, a collaboration between Launch Blue and Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp.
Designed for early-stage founders and researchers, the six-week virtual cohort helps participants explore commercialization pathways through customer discovery, mentorship and tailored support for agriculture-related innovations.
Applications Due: April 30, 2026
| | Podcast Feature: How UK Is Building an AI-Forward Culture and Driving Economic Impact | | |
Ian McClure, vice president for innovation, UK HealthCare and associate vice president for research, innovation and economic impact, is featured in a new podcast on how universities can accelerate innovation through strategic intellectual property, entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence.
In conversation with host Bruce Berman, McClure shares how the University of Kentucky is advancing an AI-forward culture, strengthening commercialization efforts and driving economic impact across the Commonwealth through research-based innovation.
| | UK Startups Featured at Southeast Venture Showcase 2026 | | |
Kentucky innovation was on display at the Southeast Venture Showcase (SVS) this year in Nashville, TN, where Luke Bradley, Ph.D. of AVAST Therapeutics and David Feola, Ph.D., of Bluegrass Pharmaceuticals represented UK’s growing startup ecosystem.
Their participation highlights the strength of UK Innovate’s commercialization pipeline and the continued momentum of UK-developed technologies advancing toward real-world impact.
| | Software Algorithms for Biological Video Analysis (3032) | This technology developed at the University of Kentucky introduces a novel pipeline for analyzing single-cell resolution in vivo recordings and neurovascular dynamics in awake preclinical models. Leveraging machine learning, one algorithm clusters cells down to subcellular compartments while correcting for brightness differences caused by head orientation and enhancing contrast. A complementary algorithm models active vessels and maps changes in vessel diameter, identifying specific sites along arterioles while simultaneously measuring the activity of surrounding cells, including astrocytes. This technology provides a powerful tool to accelerate discoveries in neurovascular biology, with potential for integration into microscope design or use as stand-alone software across a variety of cell types. | SFDL April 2026 Meeting: Awardee Presentations | |
Date: April 30, 2026
Time: 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET
Location: Gray Design Building, Room 109
349 Scott Street, Lexington KY
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Join the Sustainable Futures Design Lab for its end of semester meeting featuring awardee presentations on innovative projects advancing sustainability and community resilience.
This session offers an opportunity to hear directly from project leaders, explore emerging ideas and connect with colleagues engaged in transdisciplinary impact-driven work.
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Date: June 16, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET
Location: The Lightwell, Covington KY
Join GAME Change and its partners at Summit #6. This one-day event brings together leaders from industry, academia and the public sector to advance real-world circular economy solutions. Focused on circular supply chains, resilient infrastructure and scalable manufacturing, the Summit offers a unique opportunity to connect, collaborate and turn innovative ideas into action.
| | SAVE THE DATE! PATENT PALOOZA 2026 | | Date: September 29, 2026
Time: 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. ET
Location: Gatton Student Center | Patent Palooza! 2026 will take place on Tuesday, September 29. This annual event celebrates the University of Kentucky’s innovation community with awards, networking and an afternoon dedicated to recognizing research and discovery.
Stay tuned for more details. | | Applications Open: Mid-South REACH Program | | |
Applications are open for UK Mid-South REACH 3.0, an NIH-funded program supporting biomedical and health-related innovations with strong commercialization potential.
Eligible faculty, staff, trainees and students can access mentorship, milestone-based funding and expert guidance to help move promising technologies toward real-world impact.
Pre-Applications Due: May 8, 2026
Full Applications Due: July 13, 2026
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LICENSES AND OPTIONS
March 2026
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Boyle County Agency for Substance Abuse Policy, Inc
(Boyle County ASAP)
Innovator: Melinda Ickes
Survivors for Change (S4C)
Innovator: Matthew Moore
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