Launch Blue Announces Fall ‘25 UAccel Quick Start + I-Corps Cohort
Launch Blue is pleased to announce that 15 teams have been selected to participate in the 12-week Fall 2025 UAccel Quick Start + I-Corps program.
UAccel offers an experiential learning opportunity for innovators in higher education interested in learning about the market potential for their technology and solutions. The goal is to advance the solution toward commercialization, including preparations for grant applications, the creation of a startup, or licensing of the solution to an established company. For this fall, UAccel: Healthcare is combined with UAccel. The five healthcare-specific teams will have their own breakout sessions and guest speakers.
Run by Launch Blue, UAccel is organized in partnership with the University of Kentucky's UK Innovate and Kentucky Commercialization Ventures.
UAccel is a regional Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Program. The National Science Foundation's I-Corps program is an immersive, entrepreneurial training program that facilitates the transformation of invention to impact. The University of Kentucky is a member of the Mid-South I-Corps Hub and offers a regional I-Corps program through Launch Blue.
Candidates were selected through a competitive application and interview process. The final selections for the cohort were determined by a selection committee appointed by the organizing partners. Applications for the Spring 2026 UAccel program will open later this year.
The following teams are participating in the Fall 2025 UAccel program:
Chad Phillips, PhD
AI Automated Portfolio
AI Automated Portfolio allows learners to match their work experience to college credit based on course competencies.
Stephanie Naylor-Lillard, Karima Nero-Woodfork
Axiom One
A video game that uses interactive storytelling to promote emotional healing.
Bhamiti Sharma, PhD
Coal to Products
A process to convert coal into high-purity carbon materials, initially aimed at lithium-ion battery anodes.
Ryan Chapman
Composite Materials
A novel fabrication approach for tungsten-based composite materials.
Carmen Agouridis, PhD
Degree & Career Pathways AI
An AI chatbot to assist prospective and current students in identifying potential degree pathways and careers that best match their interests.
Paula Monje, PhD; Gabriela Aparicio, PhD
GliaLab
Methods and assays for the manufacturing and quality control of cell cultures from the nervous system of humans, including but not restricted to human Schwann cells.
Rupin Sharma, MD; Paula Farrell, MD
Neonatal POCUS
A cost-effective, reusable, anatomically accurate, neonatal-sized simulation models using ballistic gel, gelatin composites, and 3D-printed anatomical structures.
Denise Fabian, MD
Radiation Oncology Gynecologic Brachytherapy
Novel applicators to use for brachytherapy.
Sam Gerring
Robot QA
Automate linear accelerator quality assurance by using a robotic arm. Quality assurance (QA) for linear accelerators is essential to ensure safe and effective cancer treatments.
Seth Dixon, Eric Wooldridge
SCC Additive
The Floodbuster is a 3D-printed concrete structure that offers increased strength and natural disaster resistance.
Jean Fry, PhD; Kayla Anderson
SNAP-IT
A text-based app to collect dietary information from patients to analyze diet, identify problem areas in the diet based on patient chronic disease condition or goals, and develop talking points for the provider.
Kshitij Poudel, Amul Dhungel, Sulav Poudel
K!cK
Agentic AI Programming Learning is an interactive educational platform that leverages AI-driven agents to teach programming concepts dynamically. The system adapts to each learner’s progress, providing personalized feedback and project-based learning experiences. It aims to make AI-assisted coding education more accessible, intuitive, and engaging for students.
Seyed Allameh, PhD
Tram
A rail-based transport platform—essentially a modular and autonomous standing "pod" or "tram"—equipped with intelligent systems for sensing, communication, actuation, and decision-making.
Vitale Buford Hardin
Vitale & Co.
A SaaS solution for teams wanting to build trust within their organization.