6 Teams Selected for UAccel Quick Start and I-Corps Summer Cohort

July 18, 2023

Launch Blue is pleased to announce that six teams have been selected to participate in the UAccel Quick Start and I-Corps Summer Cohort, which takes place July 14 through August 18.

The two-phased program aims to advance a technology or innovation toward commercialization.

UAccel Quick Start, the first phase, offers professional development and an experiential learning opportunity to innovators affiliated with a university who are interested in learning the best commercialization path for their technology. The second phase is the regional Innovation Corps (I-Corps), which helps facilitate the transformation from invention to impact, and includes preparations for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards or National I-Corps applications. 

Candidates are selected through a competitive application process. The fall application is open July 19 through August 18. Sign up here to be notified. 

Participants for the Summer 2023 Cohort are: 

Ahamed Ullah, PhD, Scholar, College of Engineering, University of Kentucky

Yuxuan Zhang, Graduate Research Assistant, College of Engineering, University of Kentucky

A new type of hydrophobic ternary deep eutectic solvent (htDES) and a methodology to extract and recover critical metals from spent battery cathodes.

Jamaal Jackson, Ed.D., Deputy Athletic Director and Head Men's Basketball Coach at Kentucky State University

Cross the Finish Line is an e-Learning tool for college coaches & staff working with Black male student-athletes. The e-Learning modules include: academic guidance, mental health and cultural competence. They aim to boost retention, persistence & graduation rates.


Jitana Benton-Lee, DNP, MSN, MBA-HC, NEA-BC, CNE, Associate Professor, Graduate Nursing, Northern Kentucky University

Nursing Footmark is an app designed to document and track nurse skill competency at pre-licensure and licensed nursing levels.

Benjamin Atkinson

Steve Hitchcock

Unlocking the potential of children with mobility challenges by using ride-on toys and turning them into mobility learning environments.

Joshua Covington, PhD, President, CEO

Rachelle Wood, Senior Vice President, CTE Curriculum, Game Design

Taylor Young, Chief Operations Officer

GradED Gaming is a  comprehensive, credit-bearing, game-based solution that offers engaging, hands-on educational opportunities in an equitable way in the Metaverse.

Ryan G Nazar, MD, CEO & Founder, Practical Healthcare

Mark Cooksey, COO & Co-Founder, Practical Healthcare

Practical Healthcare is the first social media platform purpose-built for patient empowerment. 


Media contact:

Erin Shea

x@launchblue.org