LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kayla Meisner has been named the new executive director of Kentucky Commercialization Ventures (KCV) by the Kentucky Science and Technology Corp. (KSTC) in collaboration with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. Meisner will lead the innovative statewide program that supports Kentucky’s regional public post-secondary institutions in transforming ideas into products, startups and investments supported by intellectual property.
“Kayla’s extensive experience guiding Kentucky’s post-secondary institutions in commercializing their research makes her the ideal person for this position,” said Terry Samuel, president of KSTC. “In her time at KCV, she’s launched a number of new initiatives to elevate the innovation ecosystem across the state and has proven herself as a leader committed to inclusive innovation. We’re excited to see Kayla apply her energy and experience in extending the impact of KCV.”
“Kayla played a key role in the remarkable early impact KCV made on campuses across the state and Kentucky’s innovation culture as a whole,” said David Brock, director of operations for KY Innovation in the Cabinet for Economic Development.
Prior to joining the KCV team in early 2021, Kayla spent more than four years working in academia-driven commercialization and technology transfer at the University of Louisville as well as working inside a start-up utilizing University of Louisville research. At KCV, Kayla served as licensing and new ventures manager, managing outreach and commercialization, along with assessing, managing and licensing intellectual property developed at KCV partner institutions. She launched the KCV Innovation Fellowship to equip the next generation of ecosystem builders to lead the translation of innovative solutions to the real-world market. She also led the inaugural KCV IMPACT Competition to encourage ideation to meet some of the state’s largest needs.
To learn more about Kentucky Commercialization Ventures, visit kycommercializationventures.com.
KSTC is a private, statewide non-profit corporation committed to advancing science, technology, and innovative economic development founded on Kentucky know-how. KSTC seeks to improve the capacity of people, companies, and organizations to build an innovation-driven economy in Kentucky.
