While traditional economic development strategies have focused heavily on recruitment and retention, an equally important way to grow the local economy is by supporting entrepreneurs. With the IEDC award winning Bluegrass Business Development Partnership, Lexington is a step ahead of most communities in streamlining the process of business start-up. The Bluegrass Business Development Partnership, or BBDP, allows Lexington to have a one-stop service provider to the entrepreneur. Partners Commerce Lexington, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, and the University of Kentucky Innovation & Commercialization Center have clustered downtown to ensure that the process of starting a business in the Bluegrass is smooth and streamlined.

Starting at the University of Kentucky Innovation & Commercialization Center (which also includes the Small Business Development Center), aspiring entrepreneurs can get one-on-one guidance through the process of starting a business as well as finding funding. Commerce Lexington (right next door) can help entrepreneurs gain access to state incentives and assist in finding commercial real estate options (if necessary). Finally, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government has representatives tasked specifically to assist local businesses.

Commerce Lexington actively promotes entrepreneurial success through both web and print. Of special note is the formation and coordination of the Lexington Venture Club, which celebrates the successes of Lexington's start-ups. The Lexington Venture Club meets six times annually, culminating with a celebration of all of the local companies that received funding during the preceding year. This celebration is known as Who Got the Money?.