Kentucky Innovation Network Named Presenting Sponsor of 2015 IdeaFestival

 

 

Kentucky Innovation Network Named Presenting Sponsor

of 2015 IdeaFestival

Intellectual curiosity will meet small business creation at Louisville event

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 4, 2015) –Every great business starts with an idea. Kentucky is hoping to create more of both this fall.

The Kentucky Innovation Network has been named the presenting sponsor of this year’s IdeaFestival, which will run Sept. 29-Oct. 2 at the Kentucky Center in Louisville. It’s the second straight year the Network will be the event’s primary sponsor.

As part of the partnership, the Kentucky Innovation Network will be on hand to showcase many of the Commonwealth’s small business success stories. Participants will interact with Kentucky’s brightest entrepreneurs and learn about some world-changing ideas being developed throughout the state.

“Great ideas and products are being developed right here in the Commonwealth,” said Mandy Lambert, commissioner of business development in the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. “Through IdeaFestival, we want to bring together the world’s top visionaries and Kentucky’s best entrepreneurs to discuss the future and form even more innovative businesses.”

Founded in 2000, IdeaFestival brings together the world’s leading visionaries, doers and innovators for four days of discussion and debate about what is impacting and shaping the future of business, technology, design, science, philosophy and education. This year, thousands of passionate minds and voices from a variety of disciplines will gather to examine how ideas and innovation shape the future.

“The Kentucky Innovation Network and IdeaFestival share similar goals,” said IdeaFestival founder Kris Kimmel. “Both look for ways to encourage people to embrace disruptive ideas as the basis for innovation and robust personal and economic development.”

Consisting of 13 offices throughout the state, the Kentucky Innovation Network offers extensive resources for small and new businesses. Assistance can range from funding initiatives, marketing and sales assistance, small business advocacy and resource referrals, along with a variety of financial and incentive programs to encourage investment and job growth. All services are provided free of charge.

The Kentucky Innovation Network is an initiative of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development’s Office of Entrepreneurship. The goals of the Office of Entrepreneurship are to develop an entrepreneurial climate in Kentucky, provide guidance and support to startups and assist existing small businesses with growth opportunities. To learn how the Kentucky Innovation Network is helping create and grow Kentucky’s small businesses, visit www.kyinnovation.com.

For more information on IdeaFestival, visit www.ideafestival.com or follow at @ideafestival, #staycurious and #IF15.

The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state agency responsible for encouraging new jobs and investment in the state. New capital investment announced in Kentucky in 2014 totaled a state record $3.7 billion, spurring more than 15,000 projected new jobs. The Commonwealth also received Site Selection magazine’s nationally acclaimed Governor’s Cup for most economic development projects per capita last year. Information on available industrial properties, workforce development assistance, incentive programs, community profiles, small business development and other economic development resources is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.