Welcome to UK Innovate, the innovation, entrepreneurship and economic enterprise for UK Research. Through technology commercialization, corporate partnerships, social innovation, innovation training and economic development initiatives related to UK's research innovations, talent and community, we work with you to move ideas into the world faster, where they can make the greatest social and economic impact possible. 

By Rohan Munnolimath 

The second annual Kentucky Innovator Challenge (KIC), held on April 11, 2024, in the Gatton Student Center at the University of Kentucky (UK), convened leaders from business, service organizations and higher education. They gathered for a one-day summit aimed at identifying Kentucky’s most pressing challenges and exploring collaborative solutions through research and innovation. 

Hosted by UK Innovate, the event brought together over 230 participants and 10 industry partners for a full day of keynote addresses, federal funding and resource program overviews and three presentation tracks featuring 15-minute TED Talk-style presentations.  

The morning kicked off with a welcome from Landon Borders, Executive Director, Innovation Connect, setting the stage for an inspiring day ahead. Distinguished keynote speakers included Dr. Lisa Cassis, Vice President for Research at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Eli Capilouto, President of the University of Kentucky and Jeff Noel, Secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Development. 

Their insights and expertise underscored the importance of collaboration in driving innovation and addressing the challenges facing Kentucky.  

“This was truly a special day for Kentucky and our diverse innovation ecosystem of industry, community, government, nonprofit, entrepreneurial and academic research partners,” said Borders. “I am most delighted by how effectively the programming inspired our audience to discover opportunities to work together in new ways that benefit our Kentucky businesses, our people and ultimately, our economy.  

Presentations in the first track focused on materials enabling the future of Kentucky. Industry leaders for this track included: 

• Anil Yadav, Vice President of Operations at North American Stainless 

• Doug Smith, Senior Vice President of Operations at Fischer Homes 

• Ron Gregorsok, Director of Supply Chain Management at Fischer Homes 

• Roger England, Vice President and Chief R&D Officer at Valvoline Global Operations  

Summer Goldman, Chief Operating Officer of the Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2), introduced funding sources provided by MI2 that are relevant to materials enabling the future of Kentucky. 

Following the first track, attendees had the chance to listen to a panel focused on Achieving Health Equity in Kentucky. Panelists included: 

• Nancy Schoenberg, Associate Vice President for Research, Health Disparities at Center for Health Equity Transformation (CHET) 

• Stacey Finster, Founder and CEO at Healthyr 

• Stephanie Davis, Small Business Program Lead at National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) 

• Serenity Wright, Associate Director, Social Innovation at Office of Technology Commercialization 

• Robert Bunn, Founder and CEO at UltraSound AI 

After lunch, presentations from the second track focused on innovations advancing a healthier Kentucky. Industry leaders for this track included: 

• Lisa Morsman, Managing Director, Health Care Solutions at UPS Health Care 

• Gaylene Anderson, U.S. Director of Strategic Research Relationships at Boehringer Ingelheim 

• Danielle Harmon, Director of Community Development at Appalachian Regional Healthcare System 

Stephanie Fertig, Director of the National Institutes of Health’s Small Business Program, introduced funding resources for innovations advancing healthier Kentucky. 

“This was my first time attending the KIC event and I was really impressed. The speakers were diverse, and they shared important information about community health issues and how science and innovations are helping Kentucky,” said Anderson. “The event was also a great networking opportunity for potential external collaborations.” 

Presentations in the third and final track focused on creating a circular economy in Kentucky. Industry leaders for this track included: 

• Joshua Ravenscraft, CEO and Co-founder at New Frontier 

• Jared Ravenscraft, COO and Co-founder at New Frontier 

• Fran Lockwood, President at Solar Energy Solutions 

• Ana Carolina Félix, Business Sustainability Director at Dow Consumer Solutions 

• Rob Samuels, Managing Director at Maker’s Mark 

Eric Smith, who directs the tech hub program at the U.S. Economic Development Administration, gave an overview of funding resources for creating a circular economy in Kentucky. 

"The open discussions at the Kentucky Innovator Challenge were truly uplifting. As a business innovating in our field, it felt like a new era in our state, where leaders from different areas could gather, share ideas and work together,” said Jared Ravenscraft.  

The afternoon concluded with breakout sessions tailored to each of the three tracks, offering attendees the opportunity to interact with presenters and panelists, ask questions and dive deeper into the day’s discussions. As the sessions drew to a close, Landon Borders delivered closing remarks, reflecting on the day’s insights.  

“These new partnerships materialized right there at the event in many cases. While we are ecstatic with the outcome, our work is far from over. Drawing from the lessons of the past two years, we are already hard at work planning next year’s event, aiming to build upon our achievements and make it even more impactful,” Borders added.  

With the event complete, attendees, speakers and presenters transitioned into a lively networking reception, in partnership with Dinsmore. Tony Bonner, partner at Dinsmore, commenced the evening festivities. 

The 2025 Kentucky Innovator Challenge will be held on April 10, 2025, in the Gatton Student Center.  

Learn more about the speakers and presenters. If you are interested in attending or presenting next year, contact the Innovation Connect team at innovationconnect@uky.edu. 

UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky is the innovation, entrepreneurship and economic enterprise for University of Kentucky Research. Through technology commercialization, corporate partnerships, social innovation, innovation training and economic development initiatives related to UK’s research innovations, talent and community, UK Innovate works to move ideas into the world faster, where they can make the greatest social and economic impact possible.