Launch Blue Announces Spring ‘25 UAccel Quick Start + I-Corps Cohort
Launch Blue is pleased to announce that 13 teams have been selected to participate in the 12-week Spring 2025 UAccel Quick Start + I-Corps program. This is the thirteenth UAccel cohort Launch Blue has run.
UAccel Quick Start + I-Corps offers business development and an experiential learning opportunity to innovators in higher education interested in learning the best commercialization path for their technology. The goal of the program is to advance the technology toward commercialization, including preparations for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant applications, the creation of a startup, or licensing of the technology. UAccel Quick Start is organized in partnership with the University of Kentucky’s UK Innovate and Kentucky Commercialization Ventures.
UAccel Quick Start is the first phase of the two-phase program, the second phase is a regional Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program. The National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps program is an immersive, entrepreneurial training program that facilitates the transformation of invention to impact. The University of Kentucky is a member of the NSF’s Mid-South I-Corps Hub and offers a regional I-Corps program through Launch Blue.
Candidates were selected through a competitive application and interview process. The final selections for the cohort were determined by a selection committee appointed by the organizing partners. Applications for the Fall 2025 UAccel Quick Start + I-Corps program will open in late Spring 2025.
The following teams are participating in the Spring 2025 program:
Anastasia Hauser, PhD, University of Kentucky Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering.
Robert Burden, Operations Manager at Bluegrass Advanced Materials, LLC.
Claire Rowlands, PhD, Scientist at Bluegrass Advanced Materials LLC.
EnviroFloc is a temperature-responsive polymer flocculant that specifically binds and removes PFAS in complex wastewater streams. EnviroFloc can be used in combination with existing PFAS treatment technologies to further concentrate PFAS waste, reducing the costs associated with hazardous waste disposal.
Matthew Smith, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
BlueCole is an energy technology company solving the challenges businesses face with carbon and sustainability. Our three-step approach—Evaluate, Plan, Act—provides end-to-end solutions to help businesses achieve lasting resilience.
Christopher Bentley, Physicians assistant at the University of Kentucky.
ChartParse is a Natural Language Processing engine that specializes in reducing clinical documentation improvement queries and improves reimbursement.
Courtney Luecking, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Assistant Professor for Health and Nutrition at University of Kentucky.
Anna Cason, Senior Extension Associate at the University of Kentucky.
A product that seamlessly offer evidence-based nutrition information and practical support to mothers across the first 1,000 days of a child's life.
Wenping Ma, Principle Research Engineer at University of Kentucky.
The catalyst is designed with multiple effective components and has distinctive activity and high selectivity to jetfuel hydrocarbons and can aid in the goal of net zero-carbon emissions.
Houfu Guo, PhD, Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky.
Developing a new kojibiose biosynthesis method to produce kojibiose for human health benefits to boost the immune system and manage blood sugar levels and body weight.
Carlos Rodriguez Lopez, PhD, Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky.
Roberta Magnani, Research Specialist at the University of Kentucky.
Epigenetic biomarkers for a non-invastive and cost-effective diagnostic screening test for mares to detect early pregnancy complications and parturition dates.
Kendall Rowe, Engineering/MBA Dual Degree Candidate at the University of Kentucky.
A homogenization device for mosquito DNA testing.
Sheng Tong, PhD, Associate professor at the University of Kentucky.
A scalable technology to produce engineered exosomes for delivering CRISPR components in personalized, therapeutic in vivo gene editing.
Hady Sabra, Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Kentucky.
PHS is a Python-based program that aggregates genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Betsy Farris, PhD, Director of the Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program and Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Kentucky.
Tiana Thé, Master's Student in Geography at the University of Kentucky.
Jeff Seay, PhD, Engineering professor at the University of Kentucky.
Seaweed bioplastics are biodegradable and often compostable, significantly reducing the environmental impact of medical waste. By integrating seaweed bioplastics into healthcare supply chains, hospitals can minimize reliance on petroleum-based plastics, reduce their environmental footprint, and support global sustainability goals.
Alan Gates, Graduate Assistant at Northern Kentucky University.
Ankur Chattopadhyay, PhD, Associate Professor Director, Center for Information Security at Northern Kentucky University.
Ezra Faith, Student at Northern Kentucky University.
PetHealth Validator is a digital platform designed to ensure the accuracy and reliability of online health information related to pets and service animals.