Technology Association of Louisville Kentucky

What Technology Association of Louisville Kentucky does

TALK (Technology Association of Louisville Kentucky) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2015 that serves as the designated area tech council for the Louisville, Kentucky metropolitan area and a member of TECNA (Technology Councils of North America) and CompTIA. The organization convenes the regional technology ecosystem through recurring programming including a biennial Techfest conference (8th edition scheduled for August 20-21, 2026), an annual Cyber Security Summit (10th edition on June 12, 2026 at Sullivan University), monthly AI Think Tanks held on the first Thursday of each month at the Flashcube Building, healthcare tech panels, IT Leadership Symposiums, and networking socials. TALK does not develop or sell technology products; its technology footprint consists of a WordPress-based website (talklou.com) and Eventbrite for event registration and ticketing.

The organization generates revenue through three primary streams: individual annual memberships at $99/year, corporate founding memberships at $2,500 and $5,000 tiers, and event-driven revenue from Techfest tickets ($124-$224 per person), booth sponsorships ($900), specialty event tickets ($15-$25), and a six-week cyber training course priced at $60. Distribution and community engagement occur through the website, Eventbrite self-serve ticketing, email newsletters, and active social media presence on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter/X, and YouTube. Strategic partnerships span CompTIA and TECNA at the national level, Lionfish Cyber Security, the Cyber Readiness Institute, the Health Enterprises Network, the University of Louisville, Bellarmine University, and Aspectx (a PR firm founded by TALK's Executive Director).

The customer base is hybrid: primary segments include technology professionals (CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, developers) and corporate members (Humana, UPS, Brightspring Health Services, healthcare and logistics employers in the Louisville/Southern Indiana region), with secondary segments spanning K-12 and higher-education students/educators and technology vendors seeking visibility through Techfest. Named enterprise customers/participants include Humana (Health Enterprises Network co-presentation), UPS (AI Think Tank speaker), Brightspring Health Services (AI governance presentation), Bellarmine University (Cyber Summit host), and the University of Louisville (Techfest co-host, STEAM curriculum partner). Dawn Marie Yankeelov serves as Founder, CEO, and Executive Director and has led the organization since inception.

Name

Technology Association of Louisville Kentucky

Legal name

Technology Association of Louisville Kentucky

Website

https://talklou.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TALK is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tech council serving the Louisville, Kentucky metro area, convening regional technology professionals, employers, and educators through biennial Techfest, monthly AI Think Tanks, annual Cyber Security Summits, and corporate/individual memberships under TECNA and CompTIA affiliations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Trade Association

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Technology trade association
• Nonprofit tech council
• Industry event programming
• Tech workforce advocacy
• STEAM education initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Prospect

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from individuals ($99/year) and corporations at $2,500 and $5,000 tiers. Individual membership provides access to events, AI Think Tanks, networking, and member pricing.
2. Event Revenue: Revenue generated from paid events including Techfest conference tickets (ranging from $124/day to $224 for two-day pass), specialty event tickets ($15-$25), booth sponsorships at Techfest ($900), and individual session passes.
3. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship revenue from Techfest and other events. Founding corporate memberships at $5,000 and $2,500 levels also function as sponsorship tiers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

TALK is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) area tech council that convenes the Louisville, Kentucky technology community through curated events, educational programming, and policy advocacy. Its core offerings include monthly AI Think Tanks, biennial Techfest Louisville conferences, annual Cyber Security Summits, IT Leadership Symposiums, STEAM curriculum programs, and federal policy advocacy via TECNA Fly-Ins. The organization sells individual memberships, corporate memberships at multiple tiers, event tickets, and sponsorships.

Product overview

TALK (Technology Association of Louisville Kentucky) is a nonprofit, employer-led area tech council focused on economic development, workforce development, networking, education, advocacy, and talent identification in the Louisville, KY region. TALK is Kentucky's tech council and a member of TECNA (Technology Councils of North America) and CompTIA. The organization does not offer a technology product; rather it provides event programming and community initiatives including Techfest Louisville (a biennial tech summit), AI Think Tanks (monthly roundtable discussions on AI topics), annual Cybersecurity Summits, IT Leadership Symposiums, network and tour events, STEAM education programs (Rad Science Skateboard Build), policy advocacy (TECNA Fly-In to Washington DC), and membership services for tech professionals and corporations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Individual Membership Annual individual membership at $99/year providing access to AI Think Tanks, networking events, member pricing on paid events, and participation in policy advocacy for technology professionals in the Louisville region.
• Corporate Membership Tiered annual corporate membership at $2,500 and $5,000 levels providing companies with talent pipeline access, policy advocacy representation, event sponsorship opportunities, and visibility in the Louisville tech ecosystem.
• Techfest Louisville Conference Biennial two-day technology conference featuring tracks on AI, 5G and Broadband, Healthcare IT, Cryptocurrency, and Cybersecurity, with a vendor exhibition floor and keynote speakers from major regional employers. The 2023 edition attracted 300+ attendees with 18 booths.
• Annual Cyber Security Summit Annual cybersecurity summit bringing together 120+ tech and cyber security professionals to address current threat landscapes, autonomous AI attacker threats, and machine-speed defense strategies. Held at venues including Bellarmine University and Sullivan University.
• AI Think Tank Series Monthly roundtable discussion series held on 1st Thursdays at the Flashcube Building, featuring expert presentations on AI demos, toolsets, use cases, and policy. Open to members and guests at $17.85 non-member rate with virtual and in-person formats.
• Cybersecurity Training Series Six-week webinar-format cybersecurity training course priced at $60 total, offered in partnership with the Cyber Readiness Institute for small businesses. Covers policies, procedures, and cyber readiness leadership. Participants completing all sessions earn a Cyber Readiness Badge.
• Healthcare Tech Panel Series Specialty panel series focused on healthcare technology innovation, hosted at the Thrive Center location. Includes facility tours and moderated panel discussions featuring healthcare tech vendors and entrepreneurs. Priced at $18 for non-members and free for paid TALK members.
• TECNA DC Fly-In Policy Advocacy Program Annual federal policy advocacy program in Washington, D.C. through TECNA affiliation, priced at $225 per person for TECNA member councils and associations. Convenes members of Congress and federal stakeholders for discussions on critical tech policy priorities.
• Rad Science Skateboard Build STEAM Program Hands-on STEAM curriculum program that teaches K-12 students science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics through skateboard construction. Delivered in partnership with Marwood Veneer at multiple Louisville-area venues including the Louisville Free Public Library, LVL1 Hackerspace, and Indiana State Museum.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ attendees biennially at Techfest Louisville (2023)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• Lionfish Cyber SecuritystrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 June 2022Lionfish Cyber Security partnered with TALK to offer Managed Service Providers (MSPs) access to the Lionfish Cyber Tacklebox, a cloud-based security and compliance platform designed to assist MSPs in fighting ransomware and other cyber threats for their clients.
• CompTIAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTALK is a member of CompTIA, the world's leading technology association. This affiliation provides access to national research (including the annual State of the Tech Workforce report), policy frameworks, and cross-council collaboration opportunities.
• TECNA (Technology Councils of North America)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTALK is a member of TECNA, Technology Association of North America, which represents tech councils across the US and Canada. TALK participates in annual DC Fly-Ins to advocate on tech policy priorities with Congress and federal stakeholders.
• Cyber Readiness InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTALK partnered with the Cyber Readiness Institute to deliver a six-week cybersecurity training series for small businesses covering policies, procedures, and best practices. Participants who complete all sessions earn a Cyber Readiness Badge.
• Health Enterprises Network (HEN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHEN, an affiliate of Greater Louisville Inc., partnered with TALK for Techfest to present a healthcare track featuring healthcare IT, population health, and regenerative medicine content.
• Marwood VeneerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarwood Veneer partnered with TALK for STEAM curriculum outreach, specifically the Rad Science Skateboard Build program. The program was held at Techfest, Maker Faire, Louisville Free Public Library, LVL1 Hackerspace, and the Indiana State Museum.
• University of LouisvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerU of L partnered with TALK for Techfest venues (Trager Institute), robotics research institute (LARRI) tours, and STEAM curriculum collaboration including the Rad Science Skateboard Build.
• AspectxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAspectx, founded and led by TALK Executive Director Dawn Yankeelov, is a PR and marketing firm that sponsors TALK AI Think Tanks and other events. Often listed as event sponsor.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TechPoint: Indiana's statewide tech council, founded in 2000, with similar mission of advancing the regional tech ecosystem through advocacy, talent development, and signature events like the Mira Awards. Directly comparable as a Midwestern state tech council with employer-led governance and corporate membership tiers.
• Cintrifuse: Cincinnati-based tech innovation hub and ecosystem convener that connects startups, corporates, and talent in the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana corridor. Comparable as a regional nonprofit tech community builder overlapping TALK's Louisville/Southern Indiana service area.
• Nashville Technology Council: Middle Tennessee's regional tech association serving employers and IT professionals through networking, advocacy, and programming. Direct peer in mission, member model, and event-driven GTM, though serving a larger metro.
• TechTown Detroit: Detroit-based nonprofit tech hub focused on entrepreneurship, workforce development, and community programming in a regional market. Comparable as a nonprofit economic development and tech community builder with similar employer and entrepreneur engagement.

Broad incumbents

• CompTIA: National technology trade association of which TALK is a member. Larger incumbent providing research, certification, and policy frameworks that TALK leverages; not a direct competitor but a peer in the trade-association space.

Others

• TECNA (Technology Councils of North America): Umbrella network of 50+ regional tech councils across the US and Canada, including TALK. Acts as TALK's network parent for policy advocacy (DC Fly-Ins) and cross-council programming rather than as a competitor.
• Code.org: National nonprofit focused on expanding computer science access in K-12 schools. TALK partners with Code.org for Coding at the Capitol; comparable as a mission-aligned STEAM/CS education nonprofit but operating at national scale rather than regional.
• BioEnterprise / Health Enterprises Network (HEN): Louisville-area healthcare industry network and TALK partner for healthcare IT tracks at Techfest. Comparable as a regional industry association with corporate membership and event programming, though focused on healthcare rather than cross-vertical tech.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/talklou
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHc0mHypaq5HKxPc7VDsMNA/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/TALKLou
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/technology-association-of-louisville-kentucky-talk-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Technology Association of Louisville Kentucky