"Good, bad or indifferent, if you are not investing in new technology, you are going to be left behind." — Philip Green
Today’s issue:
October 6, 2020
TECH SPOTLIGHT
Kroger leverages AI in self-checkout 
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Kroger announced it teamed up with AI retail company Everseen. The partnership allows Kroger to leverage AI to help Kroger improve its self-checkout processes, which will help the grocer eliminate theft and improve errors made by customers.
The AI works by allowing Kroger to analyze video footage of its self-checkout lanes and will help the company improve its processes. With the improved process, customers will be able to correct self-errors without having to call over an employee. This will help save time and resources.
“Everseen’s unique Visual AI technology is transforming the way retailers can manage their end-to-end operations to drive perpetual inventory accuracy, prevent stock loss, and empower autonomous processes,” said Chris Taylor, chief sales officer at Everseen, in a release. “Ultimately, our job is to take a customer-first approach to making retailers such as Kroger more efficient and profitable.” Share this story!
INNOVATORS PODCAST
A discussion about loneliness, social determinants, and data 
Can loneliness kill you? What’s the difference between treating diabetes and treating the diabetic? Can where I live impact the future of my health?
These are among the vital questions being answered today through a new approach to gathering and analyzing healthcare data. This week we sit down with Rebecca Brown Rice, neuroscientist turned data expert, and Director of Operations at the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council (LHCC). Hosts Ben Reno-Weber from Louisville’s Future of Work Initiative and our executive producer, Brian Eichenberger, talk with Rebecca about how LHCC’s new data collaboration is using social determinants of health to reduce loneliness and social isolation in aging care.
You can listen to this episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, or wherever else you get your podcasts. Share this podcast!
UNIVERSITY RESEARCH
UC researchers use satellite mapping to locate invasive plant According to the Ohio Environmental Council, Amur honeysuckle is Central Ohio’s “least wanted” invasive species, proving to be shade tolerant, as well as heat, drought, and cold resistant, with a long growing season that helps it dominate native plants. In a word, it’s a monoculture-monster.
In the never-ending battle to contain the honeysuckle, UC researchers have deployed a new “ecological restoration” tool: satellite mapping. With the help of a Landsat-8 satellite, they’ve been able to spot the plant from space and pinpoint its location in five urban forests in Greater Cincinnati. The satellite approach, which lead author and UC grad Bridget Taylor says is a good alternative to drones and ground surveys, might also be effective in locating other invasive species. Share this story!
Health innovation at NKU addresses opioid epidemic The Institute for Health Innovation at Northern Kentucky University received a grant over $2 million, which will be used to create the Opioid-Impacted Family Support Program (OIFSP). The federal-backed program will help address issues caused by the opioid epidemic.
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ON OUR RADAR 
Gain insight into the Cincinnati innovation ecosystem Learn more about the people and organizations shaping the economic future of our city with Cincinnati Future's innovation radar. There are over 240 company profiles. Is your company one of them? Explore the innovation radar to find out.
Here are a few recent updates & additions to our radar: Share the Innovation Radar!
PAYING IT FORWARD
Cincy accelerator hub gives social startups a helping hand Forbes once characterized the social enterprise as “a new paradigm for business,” but the movement isn’t really new. (Goodwill, for instance, launched in 1902.) But cause-driven businesses have gained considerable momentum over the past few years, particularly in the startup realm.
In Cincinnati, one organization is focused on helping entrepreneurs build and scale companies that have a social purpose. Flywheel, which bills itself as a “social accelerator hub,” provides tools, resources, and connections for social entrepreneurs, as well as assembling a network of impact investors. One of its programs, Elevator, is a cohort-model accelerator that helps social startups develop a viable business model and seek funding. Share this story!
Introducing Braille Ale The mission of the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) is to help blind and visually impaired citizens in the city be more independent. To that end, the organization has teamed up with Cincy’s West Side Brewing to produce a raspberry gose ale that debuted in the brewery taproom in late August.
The beer—dubbed Braille Ale—has Braille lettering on the can so that blind or visually impaired consumers can determine what kind of beverage they’re getting.
The project was undertaken to help raise awareness about the issues faced by those with vision loss, and a portion of the proceeds of the limited-edition beer will go to support CABVI’s services. Share this story!
CELEBRATE INNOVATION
Attend the virtual Vogt Awards Demo Day on Oct. 15 
Register now for the virtual Vogt Awards Demo Day on Thursday, Oct. 15.
Meet the six 2020 early-stage companies selected to each receive a $25,000 grant, participation in a 10-week lean startup program, coaching from scalable startup CEOs, industry mentorship, and strategic introductions. With the announcement of these winners, the Community Foundation of Louisville is honored to have supported 84 companies with $3.5 million in Vogt Award grants throughout the program's 20-year history. You don’t want to miss this celebration, register here. Share this event!
KNOW YOUR CITY 
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AROUND THE REGION With 
We hope you enjoy these headlines from the latest issue of Flyover Future, chronicling innovation throughout the Midwest. If you'd like to subscribe to Flyover Future, click here.
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