Growing opportunities in the region The launch of the innovation labs and new strategic partnerships—as well as initiatives like the Collaborative SmartSpace and the CO/CREATE Talent Database— illustrates the various ways the Innovation Campus has put in motion President Caboni’s vision to transform WKU’s longstanding commitment to applied research, workforce development, community development and the quality of life of the region. And it significantly reinvests in, and further builds on, the commitment to supporting entrepreneurs who are growing new businesses in the region or who are scaling their business with the support of the WKU Small Business Accelerator—as well as continuing to build, scale, exit and reinvest in companies based here in the area. “As a serial entrepreneur, I am very excited about the WKU Innovation Campus and the resources it continues to provide me to create and grow businesses,” said Jake Petrovic (’03) , who is a partner in the NovoHoldings restaurant group, co-founder of Uniqat Brands and Zpatch and Vice President at Addria Tech and LkNet. That sentiment was echoed by Jeremy Jacobs–another serial entrepreneur, whose previous business was launched at the facility and acquired by a publicly traded company. He is now building his new business— LobbyFox—at the Innovation Campus. “All the new programs that have launched this year cement why I continue to build and scale businesses in Bowling Green in general, and at this facility in particular,” Jacobs said. “To stay on the cutting edge, we need to be where the most innovative thinking, research and brainstorming is happening, and I couldn’t imagine a better spot than the Innovation Campus.” For more information on projects happening at the WKU Innovation Campus, visit the CREATE website at create-ic.com , connect on Twitter @CREATE_IC , and find the team on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/create-ic . For more on the CO/CREATE Talent Database, visit cocreate-ic.com . ALUMNI.WKU.EDU WKUSPIRIT 59
WKU Spirit Fall 2022: Page 59
