Keyhorse Capital, in partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development’s statewide #KYInnovation program and as an initiative of Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC), has announced that its current quarterly investment cycle is open through March 31st for eligible companies.
The windows for each quarterly investment cycle are:
- January 1 - March 31
- April 1 - June 30
- July 1 - September 30
- October 1 - December 31
Through the Kentucky Enterprise Fund, Keyhorse Capital and the Commonwealth of Kentucky have been investing in the future of Kentucky since 2002, leveraging over $55.7 million to support 229 Kentucky companies.
The fund makes early-stage venture capital investments in high-growth startups and entrepreneurs based in or interested in relocating to Kentucky. Companies must be in the process of building an innovative, technology-enabled product, process, or service; have developed a prototype, be seeking product-market fit, or entering an early growth stage of development; and present a well-articulated market opportunity with some level of customer validation and a strong founding team.
In the fourth investment cycle of 2023, Keyhorse Capital announced $4.7M of investments in companies that included:
- Avana Health: Developer of treatments for women who experience Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) and Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH)
- Beltways: High-capacity last-mile pedestrian walkways and transit systems
- Bexion Pharmaceuticals Inc: Targeted oncology therapy platform intended to aid in the fight against cancer
- Black UX Labs: Developer of a coaching and recruitment software platform intended to connect black and brown user experience practitioners to hiring managers.
- DesiCorp: Developer of a transfusable blood product for medical providers utilizing freeze-dried red blood cells
- FreshFry: Novel cooking oil filtration platform offering a safe and easier way to replenish and extend frying oil life
- GoWild: Activity-based social commerce platform for outdoor enthusiasts
- Kidvestors: Developer of financial curriculum software for K-12 students.
- Kyndly Technologies (aka Kyndly Benefits): Developer of an automated health insurance decision support & enrollment assistance platform
- Narratize: Corporate communications and written content development software
- OrgVitals: Culture management and assessment software for business and HR consultants
- Pascal Tags: Developer of chipless identification technology designed to offer better inventory management.
- RiverGuide: Developer of a mentored pathway for student entrepreneurs that connects them with a curated network of venture-backed mentors and provides them with AI-assisted software.
- The Elephant in the Room: An interactive diversity and inclusion company focused on organizational transformations and development through a software platform to provide training and help create comfortable spaces to have uncomfortable conversations.
- Thynk Health: Developer of AI-based healthcare software suite that helps hospitals increase patient participation in cancer screening programs
- Victory Hemp Foods: Developer of hemp-based food products and materials created to offer an alternative to synthetic proteins and food items
- VividCharts: Data visualization platform for generating and distributing real-time analytics and reports
In 2023, Keyhorse Capital invested a total of $13.7M in 67 Kentucky companies. Additional investments for 2023 investment cycles included:
- Affinna: Simplified ticketing platform software for businesses and event organizers
- AuthoFi: Patient pre-authorization automation platform for healthcare providers
- Bailout Systems: Developer of the world’s smallest, hands-free descent device, enabling a user to anchor, jump, and lower to the ground safely without any additional input from the user
- C2 Keep: Controlled Substances Inventory Management system for Pharmacies
- Capsoul Collective: Developer of a novel travel luggage product line combining features of tactical bags with a designer look and feel and is targeting creative professionals
- Connect It All: Real estate marketing software for geographic targeting of tenants
- Dues24: Electronic health records (EHR) simulation software for nurse training and education
- Enomalies (RSET): Rapid scanning and 3D modeling platform for education and professional training environments
- Enviro-Fresh: Smart vending and supply management hardware solution for washroom hygiene and guest services/supplies for hospitality & healthcare industries
- Ewagers: Skill-based wagering platform focused on Esports and video game industries
- Fair Chance Works: Learning management and video solutions system for workforce recovery and development
- Feedcoyote: B2B/B2C freelance collaboration network and project management platform
- Forecastr: Developer of an online tool allowing founders to confidently forecast the cash flow of their companies.
- Gamerabble: Coaching and community platform for eSports and video game skill building.
- GoodMaps: Indoor digital mapping platform improving the accessibility, safety, and productivity of indoor spaces
- Guide Book Outdoors: Developer of both a web and mobile marketplace platform where outdoor enthusiasts can find and book excursions of interest and outdoor guides can offer their services
- HANDLE (Healthcare Asset Network): Software technology solutions for managing healthcare capital equipment assets and supply chain
- Harper (Harper Pack): Developer of a mobile application that empowers dog owners to better take care of their pets
- Hempwood (Fibonacci): high-strength hemp-based sustainable building materials
- Hop Flyt: Aerospace transportation company developing electric aircraft technology
- Jobe Products: Lightweight mobile convertible desk
- Hummingbird Nano: Developer of high-precision, low-cost, flexible design microfluidics
- MiniGrip: Developers of patent-pending dual surface/high friction consumer gripping products
- Modica (Mindful Beverage Group): Superfood and low-sugar drink mixing and cocktail products
- Nichefire: AI-powered marketing analytics software enabling brands to capture consumer insights and cultural trends
- NonBinary Solutions Corporation: Clinical decision support system software for autism service providers.
- NX Prenatal: diagnostic assays for detecting adverse pregnancy conditions such as preterm birth
- Pavr Solutions: Calendaring management system for business tracking, reporting, and analysis
- PCC Hydrogen: Catalysts focused on hydrogen fuel reforming applications
- Organilock: OrganiLock offers soil amendments and plant food products designed to prioritize soil microbial life and promote soil health
- PowerTech Water (Electramet): water treatment technology designed to give water-intensive industries access to clean water and/or cleaner outputs and waste streams
- Pramā: Programming platform intended to provide low-code application development for enterprise
- PreventScripts (Personal Medicine Plus): health management platform and remote patient monitoring for diabetes and hypertension
- PyroChem Catalyst Company: Catalysts and specialty materials for exhaust and reforming applications designed to help in high-temperature catalytic processes
- RAADZ: Market research & survey platform for digital advertisers
- Repatient (Repaytient): Revenue cycle management and interest free patient payment plans and services for the healthcare industry
- Safewave Technology: Wearable technology providing safety alerts and notifications for hearing impaired and noise sensitive individuals
- Smoove Creations: Digital design platform where users can customize different types of footwear
- Stuccco: Online interior design, virtual staging, and home goods platform
- Symba: Real estate focused mobile-first CRM, sales, and embedded banking platform
- Resound: artificial intelligence platform for podcast editing and producing for independent podcast creators
- The Kentucky Hug (Experience Tech): Ticketing marketplace and tourism management software, focused initially on the bourbon industry.
- The Nori Project: Bringing ultra modern Japanese inspired vending machines stocked with affordable and nutritious food items to every city block
- ToddCares: SaaS platform for estate and end of life planning
- UJoin: Advocacy and social/public policy platform awareness and marketing software
- VRTogether (RalphVR): Virtual reality platform addressing senior citizen loneliness and isolation
- Wicked Sheets: Bedding and sleep products that detect and mitigate issues associated with excess moisture
- Wild Seed Beverages, Inc.(Van's Coffee Tour): Developer of novel CBD infused coffee products with a go to market focus of supporting black, brown, and woman owned vendors
- Xena Intelligence: AI-powered platform for automation and optimization of ad campaigns on e-commerce platforms
- Yornest: Messaging platform designed to create close social groups for large or small audiences
Keyhorse Capital and KSTC have partnered with KY Innovation and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development to create an easy-to-navigate quarterly investment process for the state’s most promising startup companies. Together with an improved public application process and statewide communication strategy to increase access and the number of investment opportunities, Kentucky’s funds have seen a continued increase in award applications and reviews.
To learn more and apply for funding, visit: keyhorse.vc/
About Keyhorse Capital
Keyhorse Capital is a seed-stage venture capital firm focused on supporting a thriving community of entrepreneurs willing to go the distance to build and grow innovative companies. Keyhorse is focused on investing in early-stage companies based in Kentucky through a funding partnership with KYInnovation and KCED. Keyhorse Capital has provided financing to 229 companies. Their active portfolio of 133 companies has created more than 800 jobs and counting. Learn more at keyhorse.vc.
About KSTC
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. Learn more at kstc.org.
About KY Innovation
#KYInnovation is an initiative of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development (KCED) that targets resources to support startups, traditional small businesses, and innovation-driven entrepreneurs across the business life-span with the aim of dramatically improving Kentucky’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and significantly increasing the number of new company startups annually. More about the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s investment and support for innovation can be found at kyinnovation.com.
.png)