Important Resources

Below is a list of valuable resources to help you get started. If you find other sources that you think may help others, please share...

Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC) is a private non-profit organization managing the Kentucky Enterprise Fund. The Kentucky Enterprise Fund encourages the enhancement of technology-based economic development by leveraging resources throughout the Commonwealth to create jobs and wealth for the citizens of Kentucky and enhance the state's image as an attractive and successful location in which to live, learn, and grow. We work with early stage business and technology development activities including business plan creation, early seed capital funding, team creation, technology planning, and proof of concept development. We work with all private and public entities to create new companies and big ideas in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Authorized by the Kentucky Innovation Act, the Cabinet for Economic Development's Department of Commercialization and Innovation (DCI) has been charged with leading the state's new economy efforts. By building and promoting technology-driven and research-intensive industries, the Cabinet works through DCI to create high-tech job opportunities and develop clusters of innovation throughout the state. DCI provides a variety of funding programs to accomplish these goals.

Northern Kentucky Tri-ED, a non-profit economic development organization serving Northern Kentucky, a region that offers the assets of a 2.1 million plus metropolitan area, all while providing the convenience and affordability of a smaller community. Our mission is to expand the local Northern Kentucky economy by providing expert assistance primarily to: manufacturing firms, professional office, technology firms, and aviation uses.

This website provides extensive information on the programs and services available to businesses including existing businesses, newly locating companies, start-ups, small and minority businesses and many others.

The Northern Kentucky ezone, a division of Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation provides a support program for businesses ranging from start up entrepreneurs to established companies commercializing a new product, technology or process. Support includes early stage capital in the form of grants, loans, forgivable loans and equity investments through the Kentucky Enterprise Funds and the Kentucky Department of Commercialization and Innovation.

The Fifth Third Bank Entrepreneurship Institute at NKU offers new academic and outreach programs in Entrepreneurship. The Institute is an exciting partnership between the fastest growing banking organization in the tri-state region and the fastest growing university in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.NKU has a singular mission within the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a metropolitan and regional institution: to offer a variety of professional and pre-professional programs that address the educational needs of a large and diverse population.
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Northern Kentucky University provides a wide variety of professional consulting and training services to small business owners and prospective small business owners, in the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati metropolitan area. In a typical year, the SBDC staff will provide assistance to several thousand individuals through free confidential consulting as well as modestly priced classroom seminars and workshops . The Center provides services using professional consultants. For additional information about the SBDC direct emails to sbdc@nku.edu

The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is a nationally ranked Five Star Accredited Chamber and the largest business organization in our region. Your membership maximizes the benefits of the programs, events and services provided by the Chamber. See our Membership Guide for more information.

The Circuit provides education, networking opportunities, an online sales channel, advocacy to government, and access to early-stage capital for its members and the entire IT community in our region.

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