This week, host David Ponraj is joined by Monique Kuykendoll Quarterman, Deputy Executive Director, and David Brock, Director of Operations, at KY Innovation. Within the Cabinet for Economic Development, KY Innovation is a statewide initiative representing Kentucky’s approach to building a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.

KY Innovation successfully targets resources to support startups, traditional small businesses, and innovation-driven entrepreneurs. The team's work reaches across business lifespans to dramatically improve Kentucky’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. The goal is to significantly increase the number of new company startups annually.

Monique and David share the organization’s “Secret Sauce'' for breaking down silos in the ecosystem.

• Entrepreneurship-led economic development principles shared in this episode:
• Defining innovation
• Identifying barriers that diverse leaders may face and how to create opportunities for the next generation
• The benefit of public-private partnerships
• The role mentorship has played in Monique’s career and how it impacts the entrepreneurship community in Kentucky
• Programs and incentives KY Innovation offers to meet the needs of the entrepreneurial and innovation community
• The importance of engaging the community in a meaningful way and telling the stories of local entrepreneurs
• How to effectively and efficiently make resources accessible to entrepreneurs and innovators
• Their Secret Sauce to breaking down silos in the Kentucky ecosystem

Learn more:

KY Innovation: kyinnovation.com

Economic Impact Catalyst: economicimpactcatalyst.com