Venture Connectors‘ January virtual lunch featured Anthony (Tony) Ellis, Acting Executive Director of KY Innovation with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. He shared the agency’s top six priorities to continue developing the state’s startup ecosystem in the coming year. To read all about it in Business First, click here

KY Innovation supports and manages the Commonwealth’s startup and small business sector, SBIR/STTR and other grant programs, and deploys startup support capital. It also provides oversight of regional and statewide partnerships such as Kentucky Commercialization Ventures and the RISE offices, ensuring the state’s entrepreneurs have the tools and resources they need to thrive.

Ellis has served as the Cabinet’s general counsel since December 2019. He graduated from Catholic University of America with a degree in international economics and finance, and earned his law degree from George Washington University. Ellis previously worked as a partner at a Louisville-based firm, and for the past four years managed his own firm, The Ellis Law Group PLLC, one of two businesses he founded. During his career, he has represented a variety of small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs on a broad range of business and litigation matters.