Accelerators & Incubators

Kentucky has worked diligently to expand its entrepreneurial ecosystem. Business ideas require support and encouragement in their early days to increase the likelihood of success. Accelerators and incubators are major components of this system in Kentucky.

Accelerators

Accelerators are specific programs and facilities that literally “accelerate” the growth of small businesses. In an accelerator, entrepreneurs are guided through the process of writing a business plan, then launching and growing their business.

Included below is a list of various accelerators currently operating in Kentucky.

Awesome Inc
348 E. Main St.
Lexington, KY 40507
(502) 209-9960
founders@awesomeinc.org
http://www.awesomeinc.org/
Awesome Inc. provides a home for high-tech startups through its Awesome Fellowship program. Awesome Fellowship provides mentorship and expertise to startups, along with access to a network of more than 60 experienced entrepreneurs, investors and business community members.

Berea Arts Accelerator
Gallery123berea on Facebook
Gallery 1-2-3 is an arts accelerator pilot program sponsored by the Berea Tourist & Convention Commission. The 16-month program currently offers five Berea College graduates specific business training, studio space and other support.

Center for KY Entrepreneurship (COKE) Accelerator
1201 N. Dixie Hwy
Suite 112
Elizabethtown, KY 42701

The Center for Ky Entrepreneurship features all entrepreneurial services under one roof with the local KY Innovation Network office-the Central Region Ecosystem for Arts, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CREATE), the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Procurement and Technical Assistance Services (PTAC), KY Veterans Business Alliance and a representative from KY Science and Technology (KSTC) all offering free services to assist budding entrepreneurs and scaling companies. Space for companies is being developed and will be open in early 2023 for entrepreneurs to locate in small suites, pods, desk tops or whatever might suit their growing needs.

EKU Business & Technology Accelerator
521 Lancaster Avenue BTC041
Richmond, KY 40601
Bizaccelerator.eku.edu
This program provides a network of coaches and resources to go with low-cost office space. The EKU Business and Technology Accelerator is a member of the National Business Incubation Association and provides expertise with resources such as the Kentucky Innovation Network, the Center for Economic Development, Entrepreneurship and Technology (CEDET) and the EKU Small Business Development Center.

KHIC-Start Business Accelerator
440 Old Whitley Rd.
London, Kentucky 40744
(606) 729-0225
http://khicenter.com/
This accelerator program is for businesses that already have established much of their focus, direction, and have many of their pieces in place. Your KHIC experience will reflect where you are in your growth and we will help “fill in the blanks” to help accelerate your journey toward success.

UpTech
112 W Pike St.
Covington, KY 41011
http://uptechideas.org
UpTech is a nationally ranked tech accelerator program for data-driven startups that are developing tech-enabled solutions and seeking equity funding. UpTech selects up to 10 startups annually to go through the 6-month accelerator program driven by intensive entrepreneurship education, one-on-one mentoring, and extensive community involvement.

WKU Small Business Accelerator
2413 Nashville Rd. Suite B8
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 901-3490
http://www.wku.edu/accelerator/
The WKU Small Business Accelerator provides business support services, connections, expertise, university support and control of high-impact costs. Located in the Center for Research and Development, the WKU Small Business Accelerator is home to nearly 20 startup companies.

XLerateHealth
300 E. Market St. Ste. 260
Louisville, KY 40202
(270) 901-3490
admin@xleratehealth.com
http://www.xleratehealth.com
XLerateHealth’s accelerator programs include an intensive three-month lean startup “boot camp” and a multi-year virtual incubator. The accelerator targets healthcare companies and has been named one of the top 50 accelerators in the U.S. each of the last two years by the Small Business Administration.

The Vogt Awards 325 W. Main Street, Suite 1110.
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 585-4649
www.vogtawards.com
The Community Foundation of Louisville’s Vogt Awards is a grant and accelerator program.  Each year, up to six early-stage, innovation-led businesses are competitively selected to receive $25,000 in non-dilutive grant funding, participation in a 10-week startup accelerator program, coaching, mentorship, strategic introductions and recognition, all designed to boost their companies’ growth.  Unlike other business accelerator programs, the Vogt Awards allows founders to retain full ownership of their startup.  

Incubators

Incubators offer collaborative space for new businesses where entrepreneurs can brainstorm together and support one another with lower overhead costs.

Listed below are among the various incubators currently operating in Kentucky.

Awesome Inc
348 E. Main St.
Lexington, KY 40507
(502) 209-9960
founders@awesomeinc.org
http://www.awesomeinc.org/
Presentation equipment and office space are among the incubator offerings of Awesome Inc. This includes space to host workshops or meetings that can accommodate up to 100 attendees. Other features include a secure high-speed Wi-Fi connection, storage lockers, breakroom, kitchen and print and copy capabilities.

Advanced Science & Technology Commercialization Center (ASTeCC)
345 Graham Ave.
Lexington, KY 40506-0286
(859) 218-6563
http://www.research.uky.edu/ASTECC/
The Advanced Science & Technology Commercialization Center, better known as ASTeCC, is UK's premier entrepreneurial ecosystem business incubator that encourages early-stage, high-technological, start-up company growth that will lead to economic development opportunities for the Commonwealth.

Biologic
632 Russell Street
Covington, KY 41011
(513) 437-3000
Biologic is a one-stop shop for emerging life sciences companies, providing critical access to scientific and business expertise plus world-class laboratory space. They help turn ideas into companies that change the world. Biologic offers tenant companies networking opportunities and monthly guest speakers from the life science arena. Tenants also have access to an onsite grant strategist, fund raising advisers, PR, accounting, legal, and industry experts.

The Hub
300 Peach Alley
Hartford KY, 42347
502-437-9387
https://www.facebook.com/thehub.oc/
The Hub is a co-work space, business incubator, and remote work training center. With its combination of fiber broadband, shared office space, direct entrepreneurial support and remote work training, the facility will tear down the barriers that have disadvantaged rural citizens in seeking professional growth and rural communities in attracting and retaining a talented workforce.

Innovation Launchpad
149 E. Main St.
Morehead Kentucky 40351
(606) 783-9536
www.innovationlaunchpad.rocks
Innovation Launchpad provides office space and shared business services and offers clients access to on-site business expertise. The Launchpad is a collaborative effort between Morehead State University, the Morehead/Rowan County Economic Development Council, City of Morehead, Rowan County Fiscal Court and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.

Ignite Ashland
1701 Central Avenue, Suite 204
Ashland, KY 41101
(606) 471-5450
Founded by local entrepreneurs and business professionals, Ignite Ashland helps the opportunity for fellow entrepreneurs to reach their full potential. Local resources available to Ignite are the Kentucky Innovation Network and Ashland Alliance, the chamber/economic development organization serving northeastern Kentucky.

KHIC-Start Business Incubator
440 Old Whitley Road
London, Kentucky 40744
(606) 729-0225
http://khicenter.com/
The Kentucky Highlands Innovation Center offers incubator space for everything from single-day desk use or permanent office space to areas for workshops and meetings to be held.

NKY Incubator Kitchen
1032 Madison Ave
Covington, Kentucky
(513) 227-6537
https://www.facebook.com/nkyincubatorkitchen
The NKY Incubator Kitchen is a space for local foodies to help launch their food businesses. It allows for hourly kitchen space & mentoring services.

NKU Inkubator
Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41099
http://cob.nku.edu/inkubator.html
inkubator@nku.edu
The INKUBATOR aims to increase the competitive advantage for NKU students by providing them with education, mentoring, financing, facilities, and other related resources necessary for a successful entrepreneurial startup process. The main function of The INKUBATOR is to act as a “feeder system” to area accelerators and technology parks like the eZone, Brandery, UpTech, HCBC, cincytech, bioLOGIC, Vora Technology Park, etc.

Owensboro Centre for Business and Research
1010 Allen St.
Owensboro, KY 42303
(270) 663-1239
http://edc.owensboro.com/entrepreneurs/Centre_for_Business__Research.php
The Centre for Business and Research accommodates a growing demand for lab, research and office space in Owensboro. In addition to office space, the facility offers wet labs and equipment available for lease to startups and universities.