Startups

The University of Louisville has everything you need to launch your startup - from R&D support, to entrepreneurial training, to access to innovative technologies.

Launching your startup with UofL

Universities are places for big ideas and innovation. So, the University of Louisville is a natural partner for startups and new ventures, who need to solve problems, innovate and grow.

Whether you're already working on your idea or have no idea where to start, our UofL New Ventures office can help your company launch here. UofL is home to research-born and validated technologies primed to build on, world-class experts who can help with R&D, entrepreneurship training and a space to work out of. 

You can learn more about some of our startups here.

to learn how we can help your company:

Build your startup around a UofL-born technology.

Licensing UofL technologies

We can help you identify technologies invented by UofL researchers that may be the ideal platform for building your new startup business. We take a flexible approach to negotiation, and can work with you to craft terms that meet both parties' goals. To learn more and browse available technologies, please visit our Licensing and Technologies page.

Find co-working or startup space.

UofL startup space

Need a place to work, meet or just think? Your ideal space may be at UofL, perhaps in our iHub coworking space on our downtown J.D. Nichols Campus for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The iHub also hosts regular office hours with business and legal experts through out Forcht Center for Entrepreneurship and College of Business.

In addition, we have secured day passes for several local co-working spaces. These spaces are meeting and connection points founders, investors, freelancers, and innovators from across the Louisville region.

You must register using this form to request a day pass. Locations include Nulu, Paristown Pointe, and New Albany:

Continue R&D and product development.

Product Development at UofL

UofL is home to world-class researchers specializing in a range of disciplines, energetic students who love working with industry and state-of-the-art facilities for R&D and prototyping. Our researchers have a long history of working with industry partners on R&D, prototyping and problem solving via sponsored research.

Or, you may prefer to work with our service centers, including those for rapid prototyping, micro/nano technology and more, through fee-for-service work. More information on our service centers is available here.

And, of course, our students love working on industry projects, which give them a chance to learn hands-on skills while offering companies a fresh perspective and energy. More information on woking with our students is available here.

Learn more about entrepreneurship.

UofL entrepreneurship training

As a world-class university, UofL is a great place to learn and gain the training you need to become the best entrepreneur you can be. A range of options are available, ranging from completing a certificate or degree program (including our well-regarded Innovation MBA), microcredentialling through our Center for Digital Transformation, or participating in our innovative 10-week entrepreneurship bootcamp, LaunchIt.

What many entrepreneurs like best about our LaunchIt program are the contacts they make. Each week begins with a presentation by a successful member of the local business community. Collectively they address a range of important topics — marketing, legal structure, sources of capital, and more. After the featured presentation, entrepreneurs work in smaller groups with a business coach. Our coaches are knowledgeable entrepreneurs with an in-depth understanding of launching and growing a business. Scholarships are available.