Northern Kentucky University is launching the NKU Foundation Venture and Innovation Fund (Norse Ventures), an initiative designed to drive innovation, expand student opportunity and fuel economic growth the NKY region.
The Norse Ventures Fund combines experiential learning with mission-aligned investing, creating opportunities for students to work alongside experienced investors while helping strengthen the regional innovation ecosystem.
“The Norse Ventures Fund reflects NKU’s commitment to preparing students for success in the real world while creating new opportunities to support innovation and economic growth in our region,” said Eric Gentry, vice president of University Advancement and executive director of the NKU Foundation.
Led by Chad Scott, founder and managing director of Tindall Capital, a growth investment firm, Norse Ventures focuses on early-stage and growth-oriented companies with strong connections to NKU or the northern Kentucky region. The fund invests in ventures founded by alumni, faculty and students, companies aligned with NKU’s academic strengths and businesses operating in sectors such as technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, logistics and supply chain.
“Norse Ventures is about creating opportunity on multiple levels,” said Scott, who is also chair of the NKU Foundation Innovation Committee. “We have the ability to invest in outstanding companies with ties to our region while giving students an authentic venture capital experience that simply isn’t available in most university settings. When students graduate, they’ll leave not only with classroom knowledge, but with firsthand experience evaluating companies, conducting diligence and participating in real investment decisions.”
Norse Ventures has already completed its first investment in Narratize, a northern Kentucky- based enterprise artificial intelligence company that helps manufacturers and product development teams accelerate innovation through AI-powered documentation and workflow tools. The investment represents an early milestone for the fund and demonstrates its ability to identify and support promising companies with regional ties.
“We’re proud to be the first company to receive an investment from Norse Ventures. What makes this partnership especially meaningful is that it’s about more than capital,” said Katie Trauth Taylor, president and CEO of Narratize. “It’s about building the next generation of innovators and investors while strengthening the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We’re excited to support students as they gain firsthand experience evaluating and helping grow companies like Narratize.”
For students, Norse Ventures provides a rare opportunity to engage directly with the venture capital process while pursuing a degree. Katie Stratman, a senior double majoring in entrepreneurship and human resources with a minor in finance, has helped build the foundation of Norse Ventures as a student venture analyst.
“Most students learn about venture investing in a classroom,” Stratman said. “Through Norse Ventures, I’ve had the opportunity to see how investment decisions are evaluated in real time and contribute to work that has the potential to impact companies across our region.”
University leaders say the initiative reflects NKU’s growing focus on experiential learning and careers in emerging industries.
“Norse Ventures reflects the kind of institution NKU strives to be, one that connects students with meaningful experiences, creates opportunities for innovation and serves as a catalyst for regional growth,” said NKU President Cady Short-Thompson, Ph.D.
The fund is currently in its charitable launch phase, with philanthropic support helping establish student programming, investment processes and future opportunities for students to participate in venture capital and private equity investing.
“Norse Ventures allows donors to support something unique: an initiative that develops student talent, strengthens the innovation economy and creates long-term opportunities for NKU,” said Gentry. “It’s an investment in people, ideas and the future of our region.”
Northern Kentucky University