Woodford County Smart Home Startup Brings High-Tech Manufacturing Jobs Home: Local Entrepreneurs Return to Kentucky to Stop Brain Drain and Build Community
Versailles, KY – October 120, 2025 – Trevor Schirmer, co-founder of Apollo Automation, recently spoke to students at Midway University's newly launched Entrepreneurship Club, sharing the inspiring story of how a Woodford County-based tech startup is bringing advanced manufacturing jobs back to Central Kentucky while revolutionizing the smart home industry.
Coming Home: Kentucky Graduates Build Tech Company in Woodford County
Apollo Automation's story is deeply personal. Founded in September 2023 by Trevor Schirmer and Justin Bunton (both University of Kentucky graduates who chose to stay in Kentucky), the company made a deliberate decision in 2024 to relocate manufacturing operations to Woodford County, the community where one of the co-founders and multiple employees grew up.
"We specifically moved to Woodford County to help the local community and create jobs," the company emphasizes. "This isn't just about building a business. It's about giving back to the place that shaped us."
This commitment to hometown economic development represents a powerful counter-narrative to Kentucky's brain drain problem, where talented university graduates often feel compelled to leave for tech opportunities on the coasts.
University of Kentucky Graduates Staying to Build Kentucky's Future
The Apollo Automation team includes University of Kentucky graduates who made the conscious choice to build their careers in the Bluegrass State rather than relocating to traditional tech hubs like Silicon Valley, Austin, or Seattle. With a six-person team including engineers and operations staff, all based in Versailles, Apollo Automation proves that world-class technology companies can thrive in Central Kentucky.
"We want to show Kentucky students that you don't have to leave home to work on cutting-edge technology," said the Apollo team. "You can build something meaningful right here in Woodford County while staying close to family, friends, and the community you love."
From Concept to Kentucky Manufacturing Hub: Building Local, Thinking Global
Apollo Automation has quickly established itself as a leader in privacy-first, open-source smart home technology. But the company's mission extends far beyond creating innovative hardware and software. It's about transforming Kentucky's economic landscape by creating high-tech career opportunities that keep talented graduates in-state and bring experienced professionals back home.
"Nothing can replace real-world experiences," said Amy Sheikh, Business Instructor and co-advisor of Midway's Entrepreneurship Club. "This was a perfect start to what we hope will be a long line of guest speakers for our students."
Building Woodford County's Tech Future: Advanced Manufacturing Returns to Kentucky
Apollo Automation's commitment to in-house engineering and manufacturing represents a significant shift in an industry typically dominated by overseas production. By establishing operations in Woodford County, Schirmer and Bunton are proving that advanced hardware manufacturing can not only survive but thrive in Central Kentucky.
The Versailles-based company designs and manufactures a complete line of smart home sensors and development tools, including:
- AIR-1 air quality monitors with PM2.5, VOC, NOx, CO₂ sensors
- MSR-2 and MTR-1 mmWave presence sensors for room occupancy detection
- R PRO-1 professional PoE multisensors for ceiling and wall installation
- TEMP-1 temperature sensors with waterproof and food-safe probes
- PLT-1 smart plant sensors with soil moisture monitoring
- PUMP-1 intelligent fluid pump controllers
- M-1 LED matrix display panels
- DEV-1 and DEV-2 ESP32 development boards
- BTN-1 macro deck controllers with mechanical switches
All products are engineered entirely in-house in Versailles, Kentucky, with a focus on open-source Home Assistant integration, local manufacturing, and community-driven design. Unlike competitors that rely on cloud services and subscriptions, Apollo Automation's products work entirely locally, protecting user privacy while supporting the local economy.
Stopping Kentucky's Brain Drain: Creating High-Tech Careers in Woodford County
One of Apollo Automation's core missions resonates deeply with students, educators, and economic development leaders: stopping Kentucky's brain drain by creating compelling tech careers that keep university graduates in-state and attract talent back to Central Kentucky.
"Their vision extends beyond smart home technology. They're also focused on creating high-tech jobs and building a thriving tech hub in Versailles, Kentucky," noted the Midway University announcement.
With a current team of six employees including engineers and operations staff (many with deep Woodford County roots), Apollo Automation demonstrates that cutting-edge technology companies can flourish outside traditional tech hubs. The company actively recruits from Kentucky universities including the University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, and Kentucky State University, providing opportunities in:
- Hardware Engineering: Circuit design, PCB layout, sensor integration
- Software Development: ESPHome firmware, Home Assistant integration, embedded systems
- Manufacturing Operations: Assembly, quality control, production management
- Product Design: Industrial design, CAD modeling, prototyping
- Community Management: Technical support, documentation, user engagement
Kentucky-Made Smart Home Technology: Local Manufacturing with Global Impact
Apollo Automation's approach to product development is deeply rooted in community feedback. The company maintains active engagement through monthly live streams, an open-source GitHub repository, comprehensive documentation wiki, and responsive Discord community, all while building real relationships with Home Assistant users worldwide.
This community-first philosophy extends to their local presence in Woodford County. By choosing to manufacture in Versailles rather than outsourcing to China or other overseas locations, Apollo Automation creates multiplier effects throughout the local economy:
- Local supplier partnerships for components and materials
- Kentucky-based shipping and logistics jobs
- Professional services from local accountants, lawyers, and consultants
- Spin-off opportunities as employees gain skills and potentially start their own ventures
- Tax revenue supporting Woodford County schools, infrastructure, and services
The company maintains quality control and rapid iteration capabilities that would be impossible with overseas manufacturing, while demonstrating that "Made in Kentucky" can compete globally on innovation, quality, and customer service.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Kentucky Entrepreneurs
During his October 6, 2025 presentation to Midway University students, Schirmer shared valuable insights about building a hardware startup, navigating manufacturing challenges, and creating a sustainable business model focused on privacy and user control (principles often sacrificed by larger smart home companies in favor of cloud-dependent, subscription-based services).
The presentation, attended by Kyle Raley (Director of Operations), covered:
- Starting a tech company in Kentucky without venture capital connections
- Building hardware products from concept to manufacturing
- Open-source business models and community-driven development
- Creating local jobs while competing globally
- Staying in Kentucky after graduation and building a meaningful career
- Work-life balance in Central Kentucky versus major tech hubs
"This club is all about empowering students to think big and make things happen," said Dr. Jeb Gorham, Professor of Sport Management and E-Club co-advisor.
Students from all majors attended the event, learning about entrepreneurship fundamentals, product development, manufacturing logistics, and the realities of launching a tech startup in Kentucky. The presentation also highlighted opportunities for internships, co-op positions, and future career paths in the growing Central Kentucky tech sector.
Giving Back to Woodford County: More Than Just a Business
For the Apollo Automation team, success isn't measured solely in revenue or product launches. It's about the positive impact on their hometown community. The decision to locate in Woodford County was intentional and values-driven.
"Growing up in Woodford County shapes who you are," the team explains. "We want to create opportunities for other people from this community, whether they're recent graduates looking for their first tech job or experienced professionals who want to move back home."
This commitment manifests in several ways:
- Local hiring preferences for Woodford County and Central Kentucky residents
- Partnerships with local schools for STEM education and mentorship
- Engagement with Kentucky universities for internships and recruitment
- Support for local businesses through purchasing and partnerships
- Community involvement in Versailles and Woodford County events
The company has also committed to keeping manufacturing in Kentucky as it grows, resisting the typical startup trajectory of outsourcing production to reduce costs.
The University of Kentucky Connection: Wildcats Building Kentucky's Tech Future
The Apollo Automation story represents what's possible when University of Kentucky graduates choose to stay in-state and build their careers in Kentucky. Both co-founders, Trevor Schirmer and Justin Bunton, graduated from UK and made the deliberate choice to remain in Kentucky rather than pursuing opportunities elsewhere.
This connection to UK continues through:
- Recruiting UK engineering students for internships and full-time positions
- Collaboration with UK faculty on research and development
- Engagement with UK's entrepreneurship programs and student organizations
- Supporting UK's mission to develop Kentucky's economy and workforce
By demonstrating that meaningful, cutting-edge technology work can happen in Kentucky, Apollo Automation helps retain other UK graduates who might otherwise leave the state.
The Path Forward: Building Central Kentucky's Technology Ecosystem
Apollo Automation represents a new model for Kentucky economic development, one where high-tech manufacturing, open-source innovation, community values, and hometown commitment intersect to create sustainable growth. As the company continues expanding its product line and team, it's demonstrating that Woodford County and Central Kentucky can compete on the global stage for advanced technology manufacturing.
The company's success challenges the notion that talented engineers and developers must leave Kentucky to find meaningful tech careers. Instead, Apollo Automation is proving that world-class innovation can happen right here in Versailles, and that staying home to build something meaningful can be both professionally rewarding and personally fulfilling.
As Kentucky universities, economic development organizations, and community leaders search for solutions to brain drain and rural economic decline, Apollo Automation offers a compelling case study: local entrepreneurs with deep community ties, building advanced technology products, creating high-skill jobs, and proving that Kentucky's future can be built by Kentuckians, in Kentucky, for Kentucky and the world.
Midway University Entrepreneurship Club: Connecting Students with Local Innovation
The October 6 event marked the launch of Midway University's Entrepreneurship Club, which aims to connect students with successful entrepreneurs from Central Kentucky. The club is open to all majors and welcomes anyone curious about starting a business, collaborating on projects, or learning the fundamentals of entrepreneurship.
Students interested in joining the Entrepreneurship Club or learning more about the Entrepreneurship Minor can reach out to Dr. Jeb Gorham or Amy Sheikh for details about upcoming meetings and events featuring Kentucky entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Learn More
Read the full article about Trevor Schirmer's presentation at Midway University: Apollo Automation Founders Inspire Midway Students at Entrepreneurship Club Launch Event
Discover Apollo Automation's complete line of open-source smart home sensors and development tools at apolloautomation.com
Explore career opportunities in Woodford County with a growing Kentucky tech company
Join the Apollo Automation community:
- GitHub: Open-source firmware and hardware designs
- Wiki: Comprehensive documentation and setup guides
- YouTube: Monthly live streams, tutorials, and product demos
- LinkedIn: Company updates and job postings
About Apollo Automation
Apollo Automation is a Woodford County, Kentucky-based smart home technology company building high-performance, open-source sensors and development tools for Home Assistant and ESPHome. Founded in 2023 by University of Kentucky graduates and headquartered in Versailles, KY, the company is committed to privacy-first design, in-house manufacturing, creating high-tech jobs in Central Kentucky, and giving back to the local community. All Apollo products integrate locally with Home Assistant, requiring no cloud services or subscriptions. The company was founded by Trevor Schirmer and Justin Bunton, with team members who grew up in Woodford County and chose to build their careers in Kentucky rather than leaving for traditional tech hubs.
Media Contact: Apollo Automation Versailles, Kentucky https://apolloautomation.com
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