The Kentucky Enterprise Fund, the Rural Innovation Fund, and the Kentucky New Energy Ventures Fund provide seed stage capital that focus on the early-stage commercialization of a technology-based product or process.

By encouraging the commercialization of innovative ideas, these funds foster competitive, profitable companies that create high paying jobs and wealth in Kentucky.

Building on Kentucky's knowledge based economy initiatives, the Kentucky Enterprise Fund, the Rural Innovation Fund and Kentucky New Energy Ventures work to fill the "Valley of Death" by addressing the challenges of early stage startups. 

Companies seeking capital go through a rigorous due diligence process and are judged in terms of industry fit, return on investment and economic development goals.

Investments are made in innovative, technology-based companies in Kentucky that are poised for exponential growth and are:

• working to commercialize innovative technology in biosciences, environmental & energy technologies, human health & development,
  information technology & communications, and materials science & advanced manufacturing; 
• working to commercialize innovative alternative fuel/energy technology;
• working in collaboration with Kentucky colleges and universities; and/or
• located in rural areas of Kentucky (outside Fayette and Jefferson Counties).

Kentucky Enterprise Funds have been invested throughout Kentucky.  To learn about the economic impact of investments in your county, click on the map.