KU establishes partnership with Pipeline entrepreneurship program

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas is partnering with a leading entrepreneur development program to translate more KU technologies into new products and startup companies.

KU will now partner with Pipeline, a Midwest fellowship program that provides a rigorous yearlong business development program for 10-12 high-potential entrepreneurs each year. The partnership enables KU to facilitate a more direct relationship between university researchers and Pipeline’s entrepreneurs, which in turn will encourage the transfer of KU discoveries into new consumer products and startups. Additionally, the partnership means all KU-affiliated entrepreneurs can now apply to become a Pipeline fellow.

The partnership will be managed by KU Innovation & Collaboration on behalf of the entire university.

“The Pipeline program’s demonstrated success in scaling high-growth entrepreneurs makes it a natural partner to assist KU as we continue building a strategy to move more KU technologies into startup companies,” said Julie Nagel, interim president of KU Innovation & Collaboration and interim associate chancellor for innovation & entrepreneurship. “This partnership will expose our faculty to high-impact entrepreneurs and, more broadly, be a powerful tool to hit the goals outlined in our Bold Aspirations strategic plan.”

As a result of the partnership, KU will now be considered a University Sponsor Partner of the Pipeline program. Other partners include the University of Nebraska, Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Missouri-Columbia (Arts & Science).

“We are thrilled to have the University of Kansas join in as a Pipeline partner,” said Joni Cobb, Pipeline president and CEO. “Our university partners value working hand-in-hand with our entrepreneurs, as well as our national network, to enhance their own entrepreneurial efforts. In turn, we get access to some tremendous minds and passionate innovation advocates for our region.”

Entrepreneurship remains a key focus for KU. There are currently 28 active startup companies based on KU technologies. KU has 100 active license agreements with companies using KU technologies, as well as collaborative research projects with hundreds of companies covering a range of KU schools and departments.