MI2 Is an Exemplar for Industry Leadership to Drive Innovation

By: Terry Samuel, President, Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation

[Image: Terry Samuel]

As the President of the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation, my job is to lead a phenomenal set of teams who run a range of initiatives that fuel Kentucky’s innovation ecosystem by focusing on developing research-driven products and services, increasing access to capital, and building a robust talent pipeline.

Those programs include managing KY Innovation’s network of regional hubs that support entrepreneurs across the state and initiatives like Keyhorse Capital and Kentucky Commercialization Ventures that support commercialization and startup growth.

Our Kentucky APEX Accelerator team assists Kentucky businesses in managing procurement processes with government agencies, and the Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation supports applications for federal SBIR/STTR funds to support research and development. The Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance (KYIPA) is making sure Kentucky innovators have the resources they need to protect their research and big ideas.

To build a talent pipeline that keeps up with the pace of growing Kentucky companies, AdvanceKentucky works in our K-12 school systems to increase interest and capacity for students to pursue STEM careers. And our newest program, KY VALOR (Kentucky Veterans Accelerated Licensure Occupational Recruitment), helps transition recent veterans into opportunities with Kentucky companies.

Yet, no matter how amazing my colleagues are, we know that we are not able to succeed without strong leadership from the corporate sector to deeply engage with KSTC and the programs that we run.

I know how all-encompassing corporate life can be. In the decades I spent in various leadership positions at Lexmark, I experienced just how precious time is for industry leaders and the concentrated energy it takes to prioritize engagement with the ecosystem beyond “the walls.”

That’s what especially excites me about the commitment of the Metals Leadership Council and their commitment to MI2. The financial investment MI2’s eight founding companies have made to get this initiative off the ground is important. But the time and talent commitment the leaders of these companies are making is even more profound.

It has personally been an honor to help with the process of getting the Metals Innovation Initiative off the ground and to help manage the financial investment the state of Kentucky has made to support this organization’s mission - from Gov. Beshear’s commitment and the oversight of our Cabinet for Economic Development.

And, for all of our teams at KSTC, MI2 gives us the ability to see and understand the needs and opportunities at the forefront of one of Kentucky’s most crucial industry sectors. That line of sight helps us think about how our programs are being designed to meet those needs. And it also means we have a central place to come to share our programs and find partners throughout Kentucky’s metals ecosystem. 

Our recent efforts in pursuing a National Science Foundation grant to be a regional innovation engine in partnership with MI2 and other organizations is a perfect example. The deep commitment and partnership demonstrated by an industry executive-led nonprofit organization like MI2 gives our innovation ecosystem an advantage in pursuing new programs and ensures our existing programs are meeting real needs in the Commonwealth.

The inaugural MI2’s Metals Leadership Council should be a point of inspiration not just to other metals leaders in the state, but to industry leaders in other corporate sectors as well.