Fueling Workforce Development Across Kentucky
How does LifeSciKY strengthen the life sciences workforce?
LifeSciKY is Kentucky’s nonprofit life sciences incubator, connecting academia, entrepreneurs, industry, and talent to drive economic growth. With the support of regional universities and corporate partners, LifeSciKY builds the infrastructure and networks needed to bolster skilled workforce development and fuel biotech and pharma innovation.
Opening in September 2025 at the OneNKY Center in Covington, LifeSciKY’s flagship incubator includes 15,000 square feet of state-of-the-art wet lab and co-working space—the largest shared lab facility of its kind in the region. This hub anchors workforce development in Kentucky by bringing together students, job seekers, startups, and established corporations under one roof.
life sciences employees
life sciences establishments
growth in life sciences
to gain access to flexible and fully equipped lab space, state-of-the-art equipment, and a wide range of additional benefits to help bring their innovative work to life.
Key LifeSciKY Workforce Development Initiatives and Support
LifeSciKY supports workforce development stakeholders across the Kentucky life sciences landscape, facilitating workforce development in partnership with and/or on behalf of:
1. Enterprise and corporate pharma and biotech companies
2. Entrepreneurs and startups in biotech
3. Life science job seekers
4. Life science students and academic institutions
How do enterprise and corporate partners –especially pharma and biotech companies– benefit from workforce development through LifeSciKY?
Our initiatives and collaborative efforts with corporate partners help reduce hiring gaps, accelerate discovery, and strengthen Kentucky’s position as a hub for biotech and pharmaceutical excellence. Working with LifeSciKY, corporate enterprises and pharma partners gain access to:
We provide flexible lab space, shared and private benches, and $1M+ in scientific equipment, helping companies scale R&D quickly and efficiently.
Procurement Access Program
Through a strategic partnership with Boston-based Prendio–BioProcure, we offer Lab Residents access to discounted, automated ordering and vendor management, saving staff time and reducing operational barriers.
Corporate Partnerships
LifeSciKY supports talent alignment programs with regional universities, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled graduates and upskilling opportunities for current employees.
How does LifeSciKY support entrepreneurs and startups seeking to start a biotech company?
By combining facilities, partnerships, and education, LifeSciKY enables startups to focus on science, attract top talent, and grow sustainably. For innovators and entrepreneurs asking how to grow or start a biotech company, LifeSciKY provides the essential launchpad:
Lab Residency Program – affordable entry into fully equipped labs without the cost of building from scratch.
Mentorship & Networking – connections to experienced founders, technical experts, and academic collaborators through UK Innovate and regional partners.
Growth Partnerships – operational support from vendors and access to investors, accelerators, and incubators through the OneNKY Center ecosystem.
Workshops & Programming – practical training on commercialization, regulatory navigation, and scaling operations.
How can job seekers in life sciences leverage LIfeSciKY for career advancement?
A comprehensive industry-wide analysis in the 2025 National Life Sciences Workforce Trends Report highlights a surge in early Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) engagement as companies grapple with talent shortages, economic pressures, and digital transformation. The report reflects how life sciences employers are adapting by investing more heavily in education for workforce development and growing workforce pipelines to meet evolving needs.
Positioned at the nexus of talent and industry, LifeSciKY helps job seekers find opportunities and companies find talent through:
Centralized Innovation Hub
The OneNKY Center houses LifeSciKY alongside other growth organizations, creating visibility into biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical technology careers.
Hands-on Experience
Lab residency companies often seek technicians, analysts, and support staff, giving job seekers access to high-growth environments.
Career Pathway Mapping
LifeSciKY aligns talent supply with demand, helping job seekers identify roles where their skills fit and what training may be needed to advance.
Events & Networking
Regional job fairs, industry roundtables, and career development workshops hosted through LifeSciKY and its partners.
How are life sciences students gaining workforce development opportunities through LifeSciKY?
Kentucky’s next generation of scientists is crucial to sustaining workforce development in the region’s life sciences sector. LifeSciKY enhances this pipeline by providing students with practical learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom and into real-world labs and research environments.
Through programs connected to the OneNKY Center, students gain exposure to shared lab facilities, internships with emerging biotech companies, and experiential learning alongside industry innovators. LifeSciKY also supports academic research collaborations that invite students to participate in projects focused on translational science, laboratory technology development, and entrepreneurial pathways.
Students benefit from LifeSciKY’s close ties to Kentucky’s academic community:
Experiential Learning – internships, co-ops, and student research placements within startups and corporate labs.
Academic Alignment – collaboration with higher education institutions ensures that classroom learning translates into industry-ready skills.
Exposure to Entrepreneurship – programs and workshops introduce students to the pathways of launching biotech ventures, answering the question of how to start a biotech company even before graduation.
OneNKY Center Programs – student tours, networking events, and collaborative research initiatives provide real-world exposure.
By linking students to industry-driven research and hands-on opportunities, LifeSciKY ensures that Kentucky’s talent pipeline is not only prepared for today’s jobs but also positioned to lead tomorrow’s biotech innovations, including those who aspire to start a biotech company in the future.
Building Kentucky’s Life Sciences Future
LifeSciKY’s workforce development strategy builds bridges across every level of the talent ecosystem:
Enterprises gain skilled workers and access to shared resources.
Startups learn how to start a biotech company with affordable labs, mentorship, and procurement support.
Job seekers discover career paths and hands-on opportunities.
Students develop skills and connections that carry them into the industry.
The OneNKY Center grand opening on September 12, 2025, marks a milestone in building a collaborative home for Kentucky’s life sciences.
To gain access to flexible and fully equipped lab space, state-of-the-art equipment, and a wide range of additional benefits to help bring their innovative work to life.