Clone of MI2 Innovation Search Competition 2025

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What brings you here today?
Select the competition track you're applying to. This will guide the rest of your application.
🔒 Problem Statement Application

💡 You can download the full application PDF for reference before you begin.

💾 Can't finish in one sitting? Click the floppy disk icon at the bottom of your screen to save your progress and return later.

The Problem Showcase identifies the toughest, most clearly defined challenges facing Kentucky's metals and manufacturing industry.

The strongest problem statements describe a challenge without prescribing the solution -- helping innovators understand the context, constraints, impact, and scale of the issue.

Submissions will be reviewed based on three primary criteria:

• Problem Clarity & Impact
• Contextual Awareness
• Openness to Innovation or Collaboration

One lesson from last year: the sharpest, most specific problems generated the strongest interest from innovators. A narrow, well-bounded challenge is often easier to understand, evaluate, and solve than a broad, systemic one.

We're excited to learn more about the challenges that matter most and help connect them with innovative paths forward.
SECTION 1: About You and Your Organization

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1. Your Name
Who is submitting this problem statement?
2. Job Title
Your current role or title within your organization.
3. Organization of Affiliation
Your company, institution, agency, or professional affiliation.
4. Give Your Submission a Title
Think of this as the headline for your story. A memorable title can help judges quickly understand the challenge you're describing.
5. Contact Phone Number
Helpful in case we need to follow up quickly.Format: (000) 000-0000.
6. Website or Supporting Link
Link to your organization or relevant background info.
7. How do you relate to this problem?
Your functional role or vantage point -- this helps us understand your perspective.
8. Is your organization based in -- or operating a facility in -- Kentucky?

Other (specify)
SECTION 2: Define the Problem

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1. What is the problem you are submitting?
Clearly and succinctly describe the problem. Be specific -- narrow, well-bounded problems get matched faster than broad ones.
2. If you had to narrow this to the single most specific pain point, what would it be?
One sentence. This keeps your submission sharp and solvable.
3. Why does this problem matter?
Describe the risk or operational friction caused by this problem.
4. What will happen if this problem is not solved?
Help us understand what’s at stake.
5. Who does this problem impact?
Identify the teams, companies, or systems affected.
6. Is this problem widely known within your team or organization?
7. How is this problem typically discussed or measured internally?
8. How long has this problem existed?
9. Do you know what caused the problem or contributed to it?
Optional, but helpful context.
SECTION 3: Scope, Significance & Constraints

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1. What is the scale of the impact?
Include metrics, if available — cost, downtime, risk, etc.
2. What does this problem cost today?
Estimate the impact in dollars, labor hours, downtime, scrap, missed revenue, safety incidents, delays, or another measurable unit.
3. How are you measuring that impact?
Specify the measurable unit. e.g. Dollars per year, hours per week, incidents per month, percentage of scrap, missed production targets, employee turnover, etc.
4. What systems, teams, or workflows are affected?
Help us understand the environment.
5. Are there compliance, regulatory, or operational risks tied to this problem?
Include anything from safety issues to missed KPIs.
6. What are the main barriers to solving this problem?
Think across categories -- technical, financial, regulatory, operational, organizational, data or knowledge gaps, or resistance to change. What specifically stands in the way?
7. How have others tried to solve this -- inside or outside your organization?
List the internal efforts, external products, or approaches you’re aware of.
8. Which of those attempts failed or fell short -- and why?
This is some of the most useful information you can give a solver. Be specific about why they failed -- cost, technical limits, adoption, poor fit. If something partially worked, say so.
SECTION 4: Readiness for Innovation & Collaboration

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1. Is your organization open to external ideas or partnerships on this problem?
Be honest — this won’t be scored, but helps us understand fit.
2. Are you open to piloting a solution?
3. If the right solution existed today, what resources could your organization realistically commit?

Other (specify)
4. Who would need to approve or champion a solution?
This helps us understand pathways to implementation.
5. Why is now the right time to solve this?
What urgency, opportunity, or inflection point exists?
SECTION 5: Supporting Materials

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1. Upload a short video (3 minutes or less) introducing the problem.

Selfie-style is fine! Help us hear it in your words.
Cancelof
Still 1. OR drop a link for us to watch your video if that's easier!
2. Add any relevant links we should see.
(Optional) Websites, publications, background resources, etc.
3. Upload supporting materials you would like us to have.

(Optional) Slides, diagrams, internal reports, photos — anything that helps us understand.
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🗝️ Solution Submission Application

💡 You can download the full application PDF for reference before you begin.

💾 Can't finish in one sitting? Click the floppy disk icon at the bottom of your screen to save your progress and return later.

The Solution Showcase highlights innovative technologies, processes, partnerships, and approaches that are ready to address real-world manufacturing challenges.

We're looking for solutions with a clear use case, a compelling value proposition, and a realistic path to implementation.

Whether you're a startup, research team, service provider, manufacturer, or industry partner, this is your opportunity to connect with organizations actively seeking new ways to solve important problems.

Submissions will be reviewed based on three primary criteria:

• Problem-Solution Fit
• Feasibility & Readiness
• Potential Impact

The strongest submissions clearly explain the problem they solve, demonstrate what makes their approach different, and help us understand what it would take to put the solution to work in a real-world setting.

We're excited to learn more about the solutions shaping the future of Kentucky's metals and manufacturing ecosystem.
SECTION 1: About You and Your Organization

Click on the floppy disk icon at the bottom of the screen to save your progress and return to your application later.
1. Your Name
Who is submitting this application?
2. Job Title
Your current role or title within your organization.
3. Organization or Affiliation
Name of your startup, research group, or company.
4. Give your Submission a Title
Think of this as the headline for your story. A memorable title can help judges quickly understand the challenge you're describing.
5. Phone Number
Helpful in case we need to follow up quickly.Format: (000) 000-0000.
6. Website or Supporting Link
Link to your organization or relevant background info.
7. Is your organization based in - or operating a facility in - Kentucky?

Other (specify)
SECTION 2: What You’ve Built

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1. In one or two sentences, what problem does this solve – and for whom?
Describe the real-world issue and who experiences it.
2. How would you classify the type of innovative solution you're submitting? (Choose the category that best describes your solution.)

Other (please describe)
3. Tell us about the innovation or solution you have created.
Summarize how your solution works and what it does.
4. What makes your solution different from what already exists?
Highlight your competitive edge or novel approach.
5. Why hasn’t this problem already been solved?
What has prevented existing approaches from succeeding?
6. Is your solution dependent on any third-party technology or systems?
If yes, list any major platforms, systems, or partnerships involved.
SECTION 3: Understanding the Problem Space

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1. Is this problem well known or well understood in the field? Explain why you believe this.
Help us gauge if you’re solving something underappreciated or widely acknowledged.
2. Who (all) experiences this problem? Include a description of the industry that experiences the problem.
Consider direct users, customers, and affected stakeholders.
3. How much does this problem cost?
Time, money, missed opportunity – quantify if possible.
4. How is this impact typically measured?
Dollars/year, Hours/week, Scrap rate, Safety incidents, Turnover, Production losses, etc.
5. How much friction stands in the way of solving it?
What makes this difficult to solve today?
SECTION 4: Feasibility & Implementation

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1. In what stage is your solution?
2. If the ideal client called today, how quickly could you implement this solution?
Estimate time in hours, days, weeks, months, etc.
3. What would a partner organization (or customer) have to do in order to successfully implement your solution?
Lay out the required actions, resources, or changes, including implementation cost(s).
4. What would implementation typically cost?
Provide a range if possible. Include setup costs, equipment, licensing, services, or ongoing costs.
5. How is cost typically structured?

Other (specify)
6. What action must a human user or partner take to make this solution 'work'?
Who needs to do what, and how often?
7. What actions must other software/code take to make this solution 'work'?
Clarify any required integrations or system dependencies.
8. Are there major constraints (technical, regulatory, stakeholder) that you’ve accounted for?
Note barriers you've identified and how you're addressing them.
SECTION 5: Market Fit, Business Model, & Partnership/Investment

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1. How many organizations are currently using your solution?
2. Who is your ideal customer?
Describe your target market — company size, type, team function, etc.
3. Do you have a marquee customer or testimonial?
(Optional) Tell us about your strongest success story or signal of traction.
4. What is your business model or sustainability approach?
e.g. SaaS, transaction-based, tiered, license, etc.
5. How does your cost structure interact with your pricing model?
Do your costs scale with use, and does your pricing reflect that?
6. How do you help customers justify the investment in your solution?
Do you demonstrate an ROI? If so, how do you calculate this number?
7. Do your current customers classify your solution as CapEx or OpEx?
If you don’t know, or it isn’t applicable, say so.
8. Who benefits financially from your solution working?
Identify your economic buyer(s) or those with P&L on the line.
9. Are you currently seeking pilot partners?
10. What kind of partner or pilot opportunity are you looking for?
If open to collaboration, describe the ideal scenario or ask.
SECTION 6: Company History & Team

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1. Tell us a little bit about your founding team, or core innovation team.
What experience or background is most relevant to this solution?
2. Have you raised outside capital?

Other (specify)
3. Are you currently in a raise?
4. Do you plan to raise capital in the near future?
This helps us understand your current growth needs.
5. How much capital has it taken you to get to this point?
Answer to the degree you’re comfortable sharing.
6. If you have supportive materials about the founders or key team members, share them here.
(Optional) Bios, LinkedIn profiles, published works, news articles, etc.
SECTION 7: Supporting Materials

Click on the floppy disk icon at the bottom of the screen to save your progress and return to your application later.
1. Upload a short video (3 minutes or less) introducing your solution.

Selfie-style is fine! Help us hear it in your words.
Cancelof
Still 1. OR drop a link for us to watch your video if that's easier!
2. Please upload your pitch deck.

A 10–15 slide deck is recommended.
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3. Upload supporting materials you would like us to have.

(Optional) White papers, product sheets, demos, testimonials, etc.
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🔓 Implemented Innovation Application

💡 You can download the full application PDF for reference before you begin.

💾 Can't finish in one sitting? Click the floppy disk icon at the bottom of your screen to save your progress and return later.

The Implemented Innovation Showcase recognizes innovations that have moved beyond the idea stage and delivered real-world results.

We're looking for technologies, processes, partnerships, and programs that have been successfully implemented and can demonstrate measurable outcomes, lessons learned, or meaningful impact.

Whether you're a manufacturer that implemented a solution, a startup that successfully deployed one, or a partnership that created measurable results together, this is your opportunity to share your story and showcase what's possible.

Submissions will be reviewed based on three primary criteria:

• Demonstrated Impact
• Strength of the Implementation Story
• Replicability & Broader Relevance

The strongest submissions clearly explain the challenge that was addressed, demonstrate measurable results, and help others understand what it took to move from idea to implementation.

We're excited to learn more about the success stories shaping the future of Kentucky's metals and manufacturing ecosystem.
SECTION 1: About You and Your Organization

Click on the floppy disk icon at the bottom of the screen to save your progress and return to your application later.
1. Your Name
Who is submitting this story?
2. Job Title
Your current role or title within your organization.
3. Organization or Affiliation
Your company, institution, agency, or professional affiliation.
4. Give your Submission a Title
Think of this as the headline for your story. A memorable title can help judges quickly understand the impact you're describing.
5. Phone Number
Helpful in case we need to follow up quickly.Format: (000) 000-0000.
6. Website or Supporting Link
Link to your organization or relevant background info.
7. Are you submitting as the problem-owner, the solution-provider, or jointly?
These stories have two sides -- tell us which seat you’re in. We welcome (and prefer!) joint submissions.
8. The solution provider was primarily:

Other (specify)
SECTION 2: The Unlock (Story in Brief)

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1. In one or two sentences, what problem was solved, and who benefited from the implementation?
e.g. a manufacturer? Suppliers? Customers? This should be the short explanation. We’ll dive deeper below.
2. What innovation or solution was implemented?
Briefly describe the technology, process, partnership, or model that was put to work.
3. Who were the partners involved?
Name the problem-owner, the solution-provider, and the primary implementation partner (if different from the solution-provider).
4. How did this come together?
Did it originate through last year’s Innovation Search, an existing relationship, or another path? This helps us close the loop on how matches happen.
5. How far along is this implementation today?

Other (please describe)
SECTION 3: The Problem That Was Solved

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1. What was the problem, and why did it matter?
Describe the operational, financial, or strategic challenge the implementation addressed.
2. What was the cost, risk, or friction before the solution was in place?
Quantify if you can -- downtime, dollars, scrap, safety incidents, missed KPIs, etc.
3. How long has this problem persisted?
Was it chronic, emerging, or accelerating?
4. How long did implementation take from initial decision to measurable results?

Other (specify)
SECTION 4: Demonstrated Outcomes

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1. What measurable results did the implementation deliver?
Give concrete before/after figures or metrics wherever possible.
2. How did you measure success?
What metrics, data sources, reports, dashboards, customer outcomes, operational improvements, or other evidence demonstrate the impact? Claims must be verified in order to be showcased.
3. Upload documentation specific to your metrics. (optional)

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4. What is the ROI or business case – and how was it calculated?
Show your math if you have it. Even a directional estimate helps.
5. Were there any results you didn’t expect?
Secondary benefits, surprises, or lessons learned.
SECTION 5: The Implementation Story

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1. How was the solution actually implemented?
Who had to act, approve, change a workflow, or champion it internally?
2. What friction or resistance did you have to overcome -- and how did you do it?
This is the part most innovation stories skip. It’s the part we care about most.
3. What made this collaboration work?
What would you tell another company trying to do the same thing?
4. Why is this implementation story worth sharing?
What makes this example particularly instructive, innovative, or impactful for other manufacturers, innovators, or industry leaders?
SECTION 6: Replicability and What's Next

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1. Could another organization implement this approach? Why or why not?
What conditions, resources, partnerships, or changes would be required?
2. What impact could broader implementation have on Kentucky’s manufacturing ecosystem?
3. Roughly what capital or investment did this implementation require?
Even a directional figure helps other companies gauge what replication would cost.
4. Is the solution-provider based in -- or operating a facility in -- Kentucky?

Other (specify)
5. Is the solution-provider in a current capital raise?
6. What type of capital are they pursuing?

Other (specify)
7. What does this mean to Kentucky’s broader manufacturing ecosystem?
Sectors, suppliers, workforce, or strategic priorities it connects to.
8. What’s next for this implementation?
Expansion, additional sites, new use cases, or a follow-on partnership?
SECTION 7: Supporting Materials and Consent

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1. Upload a short video (3 minutes or less) telling the story

Selfie-style is fine -- even better if both partners appear. If you need to upload two videos (one from problem-owner and one from solution-owner), that’s fine. Help us hear it in your words.
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OR share a link to your video if that's easier.
2. Upload supporting materials (optional)

Results dashboards, before/after data, photos, internal reports, case studies, timelines -- anything that backs up the outcomes.
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3. Add any relevant links (optional)
Press, publications, product pages, or background resources.
4. Do all named partners consent to having this story featured publicly at KYIC?
5. Anything else you want to share? (optional)
Additional context or backstory.
✋ Wait! Before you hit submit, please take the time to review your responses. You’ll have the opportunity to preview and download your answers as a PDF.
Should be Empty:

SECTION 1: About You and Your Organization

SECTION 2: Define the Problem

SECTION 3: Scope, Significance & Constraints

SECTION 4: Readiness for Innovation & Collaboration

SECTION 5: Supporting Materials

SECTION 1: About You and Your Organization

SECTION 2: What You’ve Built

SECTION 3: Understanding the Problem Space

SECTION 4: Feasibility & Implementation

SECTION 5: Market Fit, Business Model, & Partnership/Investment

SECTION 6: Company History & Team

SECTION 7: Supporting Materials

SECTION 1: About You and Your Organization

SECTION 2: The Unlock (Story in Brief)

SECTION 3: The Problem That Was Solved

SECTION 4: Demonstrated Outcomes

SECTION 5: The Implementation Story

SECTION 6: Replicability and What's Next

SECTION 7: Supporting Materials and Consent