News from the Metals Innovation Ecosystem

The Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) is excited to be working with a great set of companies and strategic partners in helping support the connections across our innovation ecosystem.

Below, you'll find a few things we've been working on the past month. Check out our updates for more details on several of the news items below! MI2 Featured Speakers in UK Innovate Webinar

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MI2 Director of Strategic Communications Sam Ford joined UK Innovate's Landon Borders on June 30th to talk about the MI2 Metals Innovation Search and our inaugural Annual Conference on "The Factory of the Future." Information on the webinar here: https://ow.ly/QjZr50OW7l6MI2 CEO Vijay Kamineni Joins KY Job Quality Academy Team in DC

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The last week of June, MI2 CEO Vijay Kamineni joined Kentucky's team taking part in the U.S. Department of Labor Job Quality Academy in Washington DC. Kentucky's team is one of 16 teams across the country accepted to this program, meant to help enhance good jobs and opportunities with workers. MI2 is joined on Kentucky's team by the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board, KentuckianaWorks, the Kentucky State Building and Construction Trades Council, and BlueOvalSK. The Kentucky team is focused on ideas for strengthening job quality in the manufacturing industry as a means of attracting talent and workforce into Kentucky manufacturing. MI2 Board Member Monique Quarterman on Middle Tech's Spotlight Series

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We are big fans of the Middle Tech Spotlight Series! Be sure to check out their recent episode featuring Monique Kuykendoll Quarterman, the Executive Director of KY Innovation. Not only are we thankful for her MI2 shoutout in the podcast; we are also grateful for Monique's support as a member of our board. Tune into this conversation to learn about Monique's vision for the Commonwealth. So many exciting things are taking place in Kentucky! The University of Kentucky Launches New Materials Science Research Priority Area

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Have you seen the latest exciting news from the University of Kentucky? Starting July 1, 2023, they're launching a new Materials Science Research Priority Area (RPA). This RPA will fuel innovation, identify industry solutions, and create a unifying identity for their faculty, staff, and students. We want to thank UK for being wonderful partners of MI2 and for giving our collaboration with them a shoutout in the video and announcement of this new RPA. We know this initiative will positively impact the Kentucky metals ecosystem. MI2 Launches National Metals Innovation Search

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MI2 is searching for innovations, whether it's breakthrough alloys, sustainable production methods, or cutting-edge applications, the Metals Innovation Initiative is calling on all innovators to help shape the future of the metals industry. Submit your application here for a chance to obtain funding or a pilot project with one of the MI2 member companies.

Submissions will be accepted until Aug 15, 2023. For more information, go to https://mi2.konexons.com/

MI2 Hosts Canopy at MI2 HQ

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Earlier this month, we hosted Canopy at the MI2 offices. Canopy is focused on making Kentucky the national leader in good business, through connecting companies, providing education, and certifying companies who are focused on having a positive impact for their people, their communities, and Kentucky’s landscape. We were happy to welcome them to Bowling Green and chat about how Canopy’s work aligns with our initiatives here at MI2. We are looking forward to our continued collaboration! Speaking of Canopy, The Lane Report featured MI2 members Logan Aluminum and Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products for being honored at the Canopy awards in April

Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products was honored in the environmental impact category. Logan Aluminum received the Kentucky Top Impact Company Award for their support of nonprofits, sponsorship of cultural events, and involvement in launching two new organizations, AccelerateKY and our work here at MI2. Thanks to the Lane Report for the MI2 shoutout as well as the awesome coverage on our two members. Read the full article here. MI2 Announces Save the Date for Inaugural Annual Conference

This year’s event will focus on “The Factory of the Future" and will be held at the Marriott East in Louisville, KY, on September 5th and 6th, 2023. Pre-register now using this link to secure your spot and be among the first to receive updates and exclusive information about the conference.

And, if you didn't catch it last month, MI2 is on Twitter and Facebook. Follow us! Twitter @MI2KentuckyFacebook @MI2Kentucky And a reminder that you can follow daily updates as well from MI2 at our LinkedIn page.

We look forward to connecting with all of you across the social world! Together, let’s bring MI2's mission to interested folks we know and create more connections across Kentucky's metals innovation ecosystem, and beyond.