RTI International highlighted the partners for their unique alliance to foster innovation outside of traditional tech-economy hotspots.
In Heartland Tech: More States Outside Of Traditional Epicenters Are Betting On Tech Innovators, RTI International recognizes KCV alongside LaunchTN for their work to unlock the potential of research from regional higher education institutions, particularly those without traditional technology transfer resources.
KCV has spent the last several years cultivating relationships with administrators and building a network to connect researchers with the resources they need to develop their ideas, found companies, and make the leap from lab to market. - Excerpt from Heartland Tech: More States Outside Of Traditional Epicenters Are Betting On Tech Innovators
LaunchTN drew inspiration from KCV's centralized model for statewide tech transfer resources when it launched the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC).
The two organizations are now partnering up to share what they've learned to create a regional ecosystem of innovation support that realizes the untapped potential of innovations developed at rural, minority-serving and regional institutions.
Knowing KCV is there to support us is not only reassuring for Eastern Scientific and our new employees but is also important for our government partners who want to see ColiGlow and our related technologies be further commercialized for reaching the broader market. – Dr. Jason Marion, KCV Innovator at EKU
The KCV/LaunchTN team recently graduated from Georgia's Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (PIN) Leaders Program, which brings together tech-based economic development and entrepreneurial ecosystem supporters from around the country. The team was awarded $50,000 through the program to expand the consortium tech transfer model.