Bluegrass Angels

📐 Backing a Kentucky-Proud Leader in 3D Dental Imaging

At Bluegrass Angels, we believe strongly in locally grown tech with global potential, so we’re proud to support Seikowave Dental (formerly Seikowave, Inc.), a company pioneering advanced 3-D imaging for dental and medical applications right here in Lexington, Kentucky.

Seikowave’s technology began in the lab at University of Kentucky, where researchers developed a structured-light projector system capable of capturing 3-D images at high speed and lower cost than traditional systems.

Over time, the company shifted into dental and intra-oral 3-D measurement systems that enable dentists to make immediate, digital impressions of teeth with greater accuracy and patient comfort.

Recent update: Seikowave Dental publicly disclosed an equity financing round of approximately US $1.2 million via an SEC filing, underscoring investor interest in the company’s positioning in digital dentistry.

The business remains a strong example of Kentucky’s ability to spin research-driven innovation into a commercial platform.

We’re excited to continue supporting Seikowave Dental’s journey to redefine how dental professionals capture, analyze and act on 3-D data—and help move the industry toward smarter, faster and more comfortable patient-care workflows.

Angel investors play a vital role in fueling early-stage innovation and keeping the startup ecosystem thriving.

Bluegrass Angels is Kentucky’s leading angel investor group, drawing experienced members from across the state to support bold entrepreneurs with early capital, mentorship, and strategic connections.

We’re proud to help turn great ideas into growing companies—right here in the Commonwealth. 🚀



🔗 Learn more:

Bluegrass Angels Dedicated to investing in Kentucky start-up businesses, creating new jobs in the commonwealth, and providing strong financial returns to our members. Who We Are The Bluegrass Angels is a volunteer-led group of skilled and experienced business leaders who fund and mentor innovative, high-tech Kentuck...

🌍 Backing Breakthrough Solutions in Clean Manufacturing and Emissions Control

At Bluegrass Angels, we’re proud to invest in Kentucky-based innovators, and Pyrochem Catalyst Company is doing exactly that.

Pyrochem’s flagship technology, the PyroCat™ line of oxidation and reduction catalysts, replaces high-cost precious metals in emissions control systems with engineered formulations that offer exceptional thermal stability, low light-off temperatures, and efficient manufacturing for both gasoline and diesel applications. Their process supports automotive exhaust abatement, fuel cell reforming, and chemical-processing markets.

Recent milestone: Pyrochem completed the spin-off of its equity ownership in PCC Hydrogen Inc.—a strategic move that strengthens its focus on emissions mitigation and green-energy growth while preserving collaborative development with its hydrogen-technology affiliate.

Why this matters:

✔️ Major reductions in precious-metal usage and associated supply risks
✔️ Advanced catalyst performance tailored for regulatory compliance and heavy-duty applications
✔️ Locally engineered and manufactured right here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky

We’re excited to support a company that is shaping the future of clean manufacturing and environmental technology and helping Kentucky lead the way in high-tech industrial innovation.

🔗 Learn more: https://pyrochemcatalyst.com/

Pyrochem Catalyst Company | Catalyst Manufacturing Pyrochem Catalyst Company Incredible Performance at a Lower Cost Due to its unique crystalline structure, our patented Pyrocat™ catalyst allows for better emissions mitigation at much lower costs. Less Precious Metal Required Lower Temperature Performance Rapid, Low-Cost Manufacturing Resistance t...

Bluegrass Angels actively supports entrepreneurs by leading deals—not just funding them.

By stepping in early, we help founders establish deal and board structures, build organizational clarity, and lay the groundwork for syndication and potential grant funding.

Our team routinely conducts thorough due diligence to ensure every investment benefits both the entrepreneur and our syndication partners.

We're here to help strong ideas take root and scale with confidence. 📈



🔗 Learn more:

Bluegrass Angels Dedicated to investing in Kentucky start-up businesses, creating new jobs in the commonwealth, and providing strong financial returns to our members. Who We Are The Bluegrass Angels is a volunteer-led group of skilled and experienced business leaders who fund and mentor innovative, high-tech Kentuck...

🧬 Backing the Future of Cell & Gene Therapy

At Bluegrass Angels, we’re proud to invest in companies that go beyond incremental change and Poseida Therapeutics is one of those.

Poseida is at the forefront of allogeneic CAR-T and gene-editing therapies, using proprietary non-viral delivery systems and T stem-cell-memory rich (Tₛ₍Cₘ₎) immune cells to develop safer, scalable treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Their platform aims to bring next-gen therapies to patients who previously had limited options.

Recent major milestone: Poseida has agreed to be acquired by Roche Holdings, Inc. in a transaction valued at up to $1.5 billion, underscoring the promise and market confidence in its technology and pipeline.

Additional update: In its Q3 2024 report, Poseida disclosed that it secured more than $80 million in milestone payments from Roche via its collaboration, and continues to advance its lead candidate P-BCMA-ALLO1 in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, backed by RMAT designation.

Why this matters:

✔️ Provides off-the-shelf CAR-T therapies that bypass manufacturing bottlenecks of autologous products
✔️ Improves access, speed to treatment and may reduce cost and complexity for patients and payers
✔️ Demonstrates how Kentucky-backed early-stage investment can support companies with global impact in biotech

We’re thrilled to support Poseida’s mission to push scientific boundaries and accelerate breakthroughs that change lives.

🔗 Learn more: https://poseida.com/

Genentech: Poseida Therapeutics Breakthrough science. One moment, one day, one person at a time.

Based in Lexington, KY, Bluegrass Angels draws members and invests in companies across the Commonwealth.

Kentucky's startup ecosystem benefits from having an organized, experienced group of angel investors—providing the crucial first capital beyond friends and family to help early-stage companies grow.

We're proud to support innovation across the state and help turn bold ideas into thriving businesses. 💡🚀



🔗 Learn more:

Bluegrass Angels Dedicated to investing in Kentucky start-up businesses, creating new jobs in the commonwealth, and providing strong financial returns to our members. Who We Are The Bluegrass Angels is a volunteer-led group of skilled and experienced business leaders who fund and mentor innovative, high-tech Kentuck...

🔍 Turning Culture into Competitive Advantage

At Bluegrass Angels, we back founders who give companies the tools to lead—so we’re excited to invest in Nichefire, a Kentucky-area company redefining how brands use data and cultural insight to innovate.

Nichefire’s platform analyzes billions of signals from social media, search, news and more, then uses proprietary AI to identify emerging trends months ahead of traditional tools.

Recent highlights:

• Nichefire closed a $2.6 M funding round to scale its trend-prediction engine and expand globally.
• It was selected for the Engage VC Cohort 14, gaining mentorship and enterprise partner access to accelerate its growth.
hauerx.com

What this means for brands:

✔️ Cutting-edge insights that move ahead of the curve
✔️ Smarter marketing and product launches driven by culture
✔️ A real step beyond standard social listening tools

We’re proud to support Nichefire as they help companies anticipate what’s next, rather than react to what’s already happened.

🌐 Learn more: https://nichefire.com/

HauerX Holdings | Speed Compounds A portfolio of AI-native companies helping enterprises see what's coming and get there first. Speed to signal, speed to market.

Bluegrass Angels is a volunteer-led group of experienced business leaders who are passionate about helping Kentucky's high-tech startups succeed.

We find, fund, and mentor innovative early-stage companies, supporting them on the path to long-term growth and a strong, financially viable exit strategy. It's about more than capital—it's about guidance, connection, and shared vision.



🔗 Learn more:

Bluegrass Angels Dedicated to investing in Kentucky start-up businesses, creating new jobs in the commonwealth, and providing strong financial returns to our members. Who We Are The Bluegrass Angels is a volunteer-led group of skilled and experienced business leaders who fund and mentor innovative, high-tech Kentuck...

🧬 Backing Breakthrough Medical Technology from Kentucky

At Bluegrass Angels, we believe in supporting life-changing innovations and Liberate Medical is a prime example. Based in Crestwood, KY, Liberate Medical is advancing the next frontier of respiratory care.

Their flagship device, the VentFree Respiratory Muscle Stimulator, uses non-invasive neuromuscular electrical stimulation to contract abdominal muscles in sync with exhalation in patients on mechanical ventilation. This technology aims to reduce muscle atrophy, shorten ventilator time, and improve patient outcomes.

📈 Recent milestone: Liberate Medical launched enrollment in its global PREVENT study following a $6.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense. This pivotal trial seeks to demonstrate that VentFree can significantly reduce the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation in critically ill adults.

We’re thrilled to invest in a company that is not only redefining respiratory care, but doing it right here in Kentucky. Innovation with home-grown roots, global impact.

🔗 Learn more: https://liberatemedical.com/

Liberate Medical - VentFree Respiratory Muscle Stimulator Liberate Medical develops novel neuromuscular electrical stimulation technology to help patients take their next breath. The VentFree Respiratory Muscle Stimulator is designed to contract and exercise the abdominal muscles to reduce atrophy and the time taken to liberate patients from mechanical ven

The Bluegrass Angels is one of the most active angel investing groups in Kentucky.
Through our growing portfolio of Kentucky-based startups, we proudly syndicate with local investors and angel groups across the country—amplifying innovation and accelerating early-stage success.

We're committed to backing bold founders and high-potential ideas right here in the Commonwealth and beyond. 🚀



🔗 Learn more:

Bluegrass Angels Dedicated to investing in Kentucky start-up businesses, creating new jobs in the commonwealth, and providing strong financial returns to our members. Who We Are The Bluegrass Angels is a volunteer-led group of skilled and experienced business leaders who fund and mentor innovative, high-tech Kentuck...