Overview
The Kentucky Enterprise Fund (KEF) is a source for pre-seed and seed stage venture capital-type investments to high-growth startups and entrepreneurs based in or interested in relocating to Kentucky.
These companies should be primarily focused on the commercialization of research and development, the application of new technology, or determined by Keyhorse Capital to have the potential to: accelerate technological innovation, improve competitiveness or spur significant economic growth and return on investment.
Companies should 1) be building an innovative, technology-enabled product, process, or service, 2) have developed a prototype, be seeking product-market fit, or entering early growth stage of development, and 3) present a well-articulated market opportunity with some level of customer validation and a strong founding team.
Most often, these companies are interested in completing product development and identifying their initial product-market fit, but are not yet ready for typical first institutional venture capital investment.
Criteria
You might qualify for investment from KEF if your business:
- has a prototype, MVP or product-market fit
- possesses an innovative technology and or business model
- has high-margin opportunity
- demonstrates the ability to generate revenue
- serves customers beyond your local market demonstrating ability to execute on incremental growth at scale i.e. regional to national, even global
- shows significant potential for stimulating economic growth and a reasonable probability to enhance employment opportunities within the Commonwealth
Management
Kentucky Enterprise Fund investments are managed through Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation’s (KSTC) venture arm, Keyhorse Capital in partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and the #KYInnovation program as part of the Kentucky Innovation Act (KRS § 164.6011-6023).