Drive discoveries from lab to market
Accelerator Program
KU Innovation Park is recruiting a cohort of innovative researchers to participate in a six-month accelerator program to drive discoveries from the lab to its greatest commercial potential.
What's in it for you?
Program elements
- Access to dedicated space at KU Innovation Park
- Access to free business services provided by professional staff and our team of analysts
- Monthly sessions dedicated to critical topics in the translation of research to the marketplace
- A community of innovators from across campus to collaborate with
- Free access to tools and databases that can accelerate your work, like SOLIDWORKS
- Access to a network of subject matter experts and investors
- The potential for non-dilutive funding to support your path to market
What’s the commitment?
Eight days in person over six months.
We’ll host monthly day-long sessions at the Park. You can use the space as much as you like for the duration of the Lab2Market program, but the monthly sessions are required to be eligible for funding.
A mandatory SBIR/STTR boot camp will be held on January 23-24.*
* boot camp is mandatory for those seeking SBIR/STTR funding.
frequently asked questions
What topics will be covered as part of the programming?
Topics include SBIR/STTR success, building a team beyond your skill set, frameworks for innovation and company building, legal implications, resources for forming a company as a researcher and more!
Do I have to be a researcher at the University of Kansas?
You don’t have to work at KU, but our program requires monthly in-person meetings at KU Innovation Park in Lawrence. If you’re willing to get here, we’re willing to help!
Who will lead the monthly sessions?
You’ll hear from subject matter experts from across the Park’s network.
How do I become eligible for a grant?
To be eligible for grant funding, you must participate in all the Lab2Market sessions and present on the final day.
When will I find out if I’m accepted to the program?
We’ll share a few important dates with you.
- Applications close on Friday, December 13, at midnight Central time.
- Accepted companies will be notified by Friday, December 20.
- Office space at the Park for companies will be made available starting Monday, January 6, 2025.
- Companies must attend a virtual kickoff meeting on Thursday, January 9.
