Commercialization + entrepreneurship training

The KU Center for Technology Commercialization and partners across campus and beyond provide training and resources to help researchers learn the essentials of commercializing inventions, developing strategic partnerships, competing for grant funding, and starting companies based on their technologies.

View training and resource opportunities below.

Contact

Startup School @KU logo

Startup School@KU

Learn the essential steps to achieve SBIR/STTR grant funding and the basics of commercializing your inventions at Startup School@KU. Learn from successful biotech entrepreneurs.

Participate in person or online.

Topics

  • Success factors for commercialization
  • Lessons learned in the lab
  • Generating funding for commercialization
  • Developing strategic partnerships
  • Avoiding obstacles and minefields in commercialization

Office hours will be available for each team to receive individual direction and assistance.

Funding will be offered to each startup team that successfully completes the program.

Location

KU Medical Center Campus
2211 Health Education Building
2160 W 39th Ave.
Kansas City, KS 66160

Attendance via Zoom is also available.

October dates

Oct. 4
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 11
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 18
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 25
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

November dates

Nov. 1
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 8
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 15
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Register for Startup School

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining meetings via Zoom, if you prefer to attend online.
Registration closed Registration closed

Startup School Schedule

Portrait of Wally Meyer next to text that says, "Oct. 4, Wally Meyer, CEO/COO four startups, faculty founder of KU Entrepreneurship Program."

In the Oct. 4 session, Wally Meyer will identify the top five critical success factors needed for invention commercialization and present the Startup School@KU course materials.

Portrait of Val Stella next to text that reads, "Oct. 11, Val Stella, founder and licensor of five cancer therapy drug companies."

In the Oct. 11 session, Val Stella will discuss lessons learned in the lab to increase the likelihood of identifying high commercial potential discoveries.

Portrait of AJ Mellott next to text that reads, "Oct. 18, AJ Mellott, founder of Ronawk, a platform technology that expands cell culture capabilities."

In the Oct. 18 session, AJ Mellott will discuss Ronawk lessons learned, plus generating funding (grant and private equity) required for commercialization.

Portrait of Julie Nagel next to text that reads, "Oct. 25, Julie Nagel, COO at Hafion, plotting main chance development strategies and overcoming obstacles."

In the Oct. 25 session, Julie Nagel will share Hafion startup lessons learned, plus developing strategic partnerships and overcoming academic commercialization challenges.

Portrait of Maria Flynn next to text that reads, "Nov. 1, Maria Flynn, CEO at Ambiologix, partner at SpringTide Ventures, and CEO Orbis Biosciences."

In the Nov. 1 session, Maria Flynn will share Orbis and Ambiologix startup lessons learned, plus advice from Techstars mentoring observations regarding "killer" developmental obstacles and minefields.

Optional work session for 1:1 mentoring and assistance in preparing the final pitch for funding.

Participant presentations to a selected panel to finalize development plans and receive next-step mentoring advice and course completion funding award.

Pivot-RP database

Use the Pivot-RP database to search for SBIR/STTR funding opportunities.
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