Lunch & Learn at the Park: Just Enough Design
2024-12-05 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | KU Innovation Park Phase III, 2033 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS
Join us at KU Innovation Park on Thursday, December 5, 2024, for Just Enough Design, a Lunch & Learn event with speaker Brian Cox. This session will offer practical insights for non-designers and product leaders who want to improve their visual design skills. Get best practices on how to create simple, effective designs using foundational UX and UI principles. Attendees will learn how to make visually appealing, user-friendly interfaces that build trust and enhance user experience without the need for complex tools or costly design resources.
Brian Cox is a seasoned design professional known for his expertise in user-centered design and product development. With a background in digital product design, he has helped numerous organizations develop engaging, intuitive user experiences. Currently, Brian shares his expertise through Digital Bullpen, where he empowers teams to achieve high-quality designs with minimal resources. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your design approach!
Lunch and networking begin at 11:30 a.m., with the presentation from 12–1 p.m. at KU Innovation Park, 2033 Becker Dr.
Don’t miss the Park’s final lunch and learn of 2024!
This event is free, but registration is required as lunch will be provided. Please register below. This event is open to anyone. You do not have to work for a Park company to attend. If you register and can no longer attend, please let us know. Registration will close on Monday, December 2.

Torched Goodness at the Park
2024-12-11 13:00 - 13:30 | KU Innovation Park Main Facility, 2029 Becker Dr, Lawrence, KS, 66047, United States
It’ll be a quick stop, so don’t miss it! Torched Goodness will be at the Park on Wednesday, December 11, from 1:15 – 1:45 p.m., serving creme brulee and iced coffee. Stop by and treat yourself!

SBIR/STTR Boot Camp
2025-01-23 09:00 - 2025-01-24 14:00 | KU Innovation Park Phase III, 2033 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS
Dates: January 23, 2024 (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM) & January 24, 2024 (9:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
Location: KU Innovation Park, 2033 Becker Dr., Lawrence, KS
Are you working on innovative technology with the potential to make a commercial impact? If you’re planning to apply for a competitive SBIR or STTR research grant in the coming year, this 2-day boot camp is designed to help you get there.
Led by Julie Assel, one of the region’s most accomplished grant writers, and supported by the KU Innovation Park team, this hands-on program will guide researchers in the KU community through the critical steps of preparing a strong SBIR/STTR grant application. Participants will benefit from group instruction and personalized coaching as they draft and refine key sections of their proposals.
By the end of the boot camp, attendees will have developed a solid working draft to kickstart their grant submission process.
Note: Space is limited, and an application is required to participate.
Ready to transform your groundbreaking idea into a compelling proposal? Then apply here by Friday, January 10.

Lunch & Learn at the Park: Who Owns AI-Derived Work?
2025-01-30 11:30 - 13:00 | KU Innovation Park Phase III, 2033 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS
Join us at KU Innovation Park for an insightful Lunch and Learn on the evolving landscape of intellectual property ownership in the age of artificial intelligence. Tom Luebbering, an experienced attorney with Hovey Williams law firm, will explore critical topics surrounding the legal challenges and opportunities tied to AI-generated inventions and creative works.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, innovator or legal professional, this session will provide valuable insights into the intersection of technology and intellectual property law. Come hungry for knowledge and enjoy a complimentary lunch while connecting with members of the regional entrepreneurship community.
RSVP now to secure your spot at this engaging and informative event!
ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Tom Luebbering joined Hovey Williams in 1992, became a registered patent agent in 1993, a patent attorney in 1994, and was admitted to partnership in 1998. Tom has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in environmental engineering and focuses his practice on patent prosecution, licensing, and IP counseling, with a particular emphasis on the preparation and prosecution of patent applications in the aviation, software, navigation, optics, and electronic fields.
Tom graduated from UMKC Law School (magna cum laude with honors) in 1994. Tom is admitted to practice in Kansas, Missouri, and before the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Lunch and networking begin at 11:30 a.m., with the presentation from 12–1 p.m. at KU Innovation Park, 2033 Becker Dr.
Don’t miss the Park’s first lunch and learn of 2025!
This event is free, but registration is required as lunch will be provided. Please register below. This event is open to anyone. You do not have to work for a Park company to attend. If you register and can no longer attend, please let us know. Registration will close on Monday, January 27.

Elevate Lawrence
2025-02-14 09:00 - 12:00 | KS
At Elevate Lawrence, businesswomen are empowered in a supportive space to freely gather and share knowledge, resources and experiences with one another. We encourage personal and professional growth, lifting each other up to foster a culture where women feel the grace to “be” and also have room to “become.” Join us, and let’s Elevate ourselves, our business and our community together.
This event will be held on February 14, 2025, at KU Innovation Park’s Phase III building, 2033 Becker Drive.
Registration is $25 and is available here. Space is limited, and scholarships are available.
Please note: this event is not organized by the Park.

Lunch & Learn at the Park: Decoding Customer Emotions
2025-02-28 11:30 - 13:00 | KU Innovation Park Phase III, 2033 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS
Get behind the neuroscience of sales at KU Innovation Park’s next Lunch and Learn. Grant Gooding, founder & CEO of PROOF Positioning, will share his company’s work around emotional market research. PROOF’s emotional resonance research methodology is based on three key learnings from psychology, neuroscience and behavioral economics. Combining those three more reliably can mirror the brain’s natural decision-making process. Learn how your company can better message to your audience, how those messages land emotionally and cognitively, and how those messages drive sales decisions.
This event is free, but registration is required as lunch will be provided. Please register below. This event is open to anyone. You do not have to work for a Park company to attend. If you register and can no longer attend, please let us know. Registration will close on Monday, February 24.
Lunch and networking begin at 11:30 a.m., with the presentation from 12–1 p.m. at KU Innovation Park, 2033 Becker Dr.
ABOUT GRANT

Grant got his professional start in the mergers and acquisitions world, working first on the legal side, then buy-side analysis, valuations and eventually transition management. After roughly a decade of analyzing, valuing and transitioning hundreds of small and mid-market businesses, Grant naturally gravitated towards understanding the 70% failure rates of acquisitions.
After years of analyzing acquisition failures, he discovered the leading cause of transaction failures was that there was a lack of understanding and measurement as to why customers do business with organizations.
With his MBA emphasis in qualitative marketing, Grant spent the next several years experimenting with methodologies and measurement techniques that could be used to quantify qualitative data. After working with a nationally renowned brand analyst, Grant discovered a quant method that could be used to asses brand preferences. With that as a starting point, he and his team utilized some principles of neuroscience and created a new methodology that accurately quantifies emotional resonance.
After several hundred iterations, the PROOF method stands alone as one of the most compelling and accurate ways to quantify human emotion. Today, Grant speaks all over the country in the areas of Emotional Data, an emerging field that PROOF is helping pioneer.

That Gelato & Sorbetto Guy at the Park
2025-03-26 14:00 - 16:00 | KU Innovation Park Main Facility, 2029 Becker Dr, Lawrence, KS, 66047, United States
Kick off spring with a sweet treat! Mark your calendar for March 26, from 2 to 4 pm, for a special pop-up at KU Innovation Park showcasing some favorite gelato and sorbetto creations!
Indulge in a variety of refreshing flavors, each crafted to perfection. We’re thrilled to introduce some exciting new fall flavors that capture the essence of the season. Imagine rich, creamy gelato infused with the warmth of autumn spices and fruity sorbettos bursting with the fresh taste of seasonal fruits. Whether you prefer the smoothness of gelato or the lightness of sorbetto, there’s something to delight every palate.
But this event is more than just a tasty treat—it’s a full sensory experience. Bring your friends, bring your family, and savor every scoop as you make sweet memories together.

Lunch & Learn at the Park: KU Innovators Panel
2025-03-27 11:45 - 13:00 | KU Innovation Park Phase III, 2033 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS
Join the Park at its March Lunch and Learn to hear from a panel of Jayhawk innovators! This panel will feature KU founders and leaders in innovation on emerging technologies they’re most excited about.
This event is free, but registration is required as lunch will be provided. Please register below. This event is open to anyone. You do not have to work for a Park company to attend. If you register and can no longer attend, please let us know. Registration will close on Wednesday, March 26.
Lunch and networking begin at 11:45 a.m., with the presentation from 12–1 p.m. at KU Innovation Park, 2033 Becker Dr.
Panelists include:

Adam Roush, a’11, g’16Co-Founder & CDOBryght Labs (as seen on Shark Tank!)
Bryght Labs is a connected gaming startup – a team of tech enthusiasts and innovators with 48 combined years of experience in consumer tech. Its mission is to make STEM-focused games more approachable. The first product, ChessUp, is available now.

Kalin Baca, PhD ’23Co-founder and CEOIcorium Engineering Company
Icorium is on a mission to maximize the recovery and reuse of refrigerants and other high global-warming-potential gases. They leveraging novel separation technologies to create true circular economies for these critical materials, keeping them in-use and out of the environment so we can keep cooling without warming our planet.

Dave Alburty, c’93CEOInnovaPrep
In the world of laboratory analysis, the efficient isolation and concentration of diverse targets—including biological, chemical, and synthetic particles—from complex matrices is crucial for rapid and effective insights. With InnovaPrep’s novel sampling and sample preparation technology, not only do you gain the power to concentrate your biological targets with remarkable speed and sensitivity, but you also unlock improved workflow efficiencies.

Nate Crosser, b’16, l’19FounderBombadil Ventures LLC
Nate’s mission is to celebrate and defend biodiversity. His work is to transform the food system through support of the alternative proteins, regenerative agriculture, and biomanufacturing industries. His strategy is to cover these sectors on his blog, Fifth Industrial, as a venture capitalist and as an advisor to startups and charities through his new advisory firm, Bombadil Ventures.

That Gelato & Sorbetto Guy at the Park
2025-04-23 14:00 - 16:00 | KU Innovation Park Main Facility, 2029 Becker Dr, Lawrence, KS, 66047, United States
Kick off spring with a sweet treat! Mark your calendar once a month from 2 to 4 pm, for a special pop-up at KU Innovation Park showcasing some favorite gelato and sorbetto creations!
Gelato flavors: Butterfinger, Vanilla Bean, Chocolate, Pistachio, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, Affogato (gelato with espresso shot)
Sorbetto flavors (vegan & non-dairy): Pineapple, Mango
Upcoming dates: May 21, June 25, July 23, August 27, September 24
Indulge in a variety of refreshing flavors, each crafted to perfection. We’re thrilled to introduce some exciting new fall flavors that capture the essence of the season. Imagine rich, creamy gelato infused with the warmth of autumn spices and fruity sorbettos bursting with the fresh taste of seasonal fruits. Whether you prefer the smoothness of gelato or the lightness of sorbetto, there’s something to delight every palate.
But this event is more than just a tasty treat—it’s a full sensory experience. Bring your friends, bring your family, and savor every scoop as you make sweet memories together.

Barbwire Barbecue at the Park
2025-04-25 11:30 - 13:30 | KS
You’re not going to want to miss this one! Stop by the Park or plan on a team lunch when the Barbwire Barbecue food truck stops by the Park on Friday, April 25, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The menu has everything from shared snacks to sandwiches, sides and sweets! See the menu by clicking here.

Torched Goodness at the Park
2025-05-13 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-06-10 14:00 - 15:00 | KU Innovation Park Main Facility, 2029 Becker Dr, Lawrence, KS, 66047, United States
Torched Goodness will be at the Park on the second Tuesday of the month, starting in May until October, from 2 to 3 p.m. Stop by and grab a crème brûlée!
Upcoming dates: May 13, June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9, October 14

Travelin' Tom's Coffee Truck at the Park
2025-05-15 07:00 - 09:00 | KU Innovation Park Main Facility, 2029 Becker Dr, Lawrence, KS, 66047, United States
Stop by the Park on Thursday, May 15, between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. to grab coffee from Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck! Travelin’ Tom’s brings the café experience to you with specialty food trucks serving fresh-brewed coffee, tea, and energizing drinks. Whether you’re craving a bold cup of coffee, a refreshing iced tea, or a creamy, frozen treat, we have the perfect drink to fuel your day. Our coffee to-go menu features a variety of specialty beverages, from smooth lattes and energizing cold brews to fruity refreshers and TILT Nitro Energy™ drinks. Customize your order with dairy alternatives like almond or oat milk, or explore our menu below to find your new favorite sip.

That Gelato & Sorbetto Guy at the Park
2025-05-21 14:00 - 16:00 | KU Innovation Park Main Facility, 2029 Becker Dr, Lawrence, KS, 66047, United States
Kick off spring with a sweet treat! Mark your calendar once a month from 2 to 4 pm, for a special pop-up at KU Innovation Park showcasing some favorite gelato and sorbetto creations!
Upcoming dates: May 21, June 25, July 23, August 27, September 24
Indulge in a variety of refreshing flavors, each crafted to perfection. We’re thrilled to introduce some exciting new fall flavors that capture the essence of the season. Imagine rich, creamy gelato infused with the warmth of autumn spices and fruity sorbettos bursting with the fresh taste of seasonal fruits. Whether you prefer the smoothness of gelato or the lightness of sorbetto, there’s something to delight every palate.
But this event is more than just a tasty treat—it’s a full sensory experience. Bring your friends, bring your family, and savor every scoop as you make sweet memories together.

Lunch & Learn at the Park: The Wonder & Mystery of Non-human Music
2025-05-22 11:45 - 13:00 | KU Innovation Park Main Facility, 2029 Becker Dr, Lawrence, KS, 66047, United States
Join the Park on Thursday, May 22, at 11:45 a.m. for an incredibly unique lunch and learn in May! Learn about the wonder and mystery of non-human music with artist and entrepreneur Alejandro Jon Sabillón. This talk will explore the concept of music as a universal experience, extending beyond human expression to encompass the sounds, cultures, and artistry of flora, fauna, and future synthetic minds. Jon will cover zoo-musicology, interspecies communication, artificial intelligence, consciousness studies, cultural evolution, and mythobiogensis. Expand your mind and get your creativity flowing!
About Alejandro Jon Sabillón
Alejandro Jon Sabillón is a multidisciplinary indigenous artist and entrepreneur from Honduras exploring the wonders and mysteries at the frontiers of the musical unknown, including the cultures and music of animal and digital minds. He founded the world’s first record label for non-humans and has developed novel ways to compose music using quantum computers, visual art, repressed memories, the night sky, and flora/fauna. His work is influenced by the art and wisdom of indigenous Central America, pre-Columbian futurism aesthetics and priorities, and various contemplative world traditions. A Berklee College of Music graduate and showcase artist, Alejandro has performed 1000+ shows in dozens of cities around the world as a DJ. His distinctions include being the first DJ to be included on an official state artist roster in the United States, the first DJ to receive an award from the Andy Warhol Foundation, and the first DJ to receive an ambassadorship from the United Nations.
Lunch and networking begin at 11:45 a.m., and the presentation will be from 12 to 1 p.m. at KU Innovation Park, 2029 Becker Dr. Please note: this is in our Main Facility, the building next door to our regular lunch and learn spot.

This event is free, but registration is required as lunch will be provided. Please register below. This event is open to anyone. You do not have to work for a Park company to attend. If you register and can no longer attend, please let us know.

Travelin' Tom's Coffee Truck at the Park
2025-06-17 07:30 - 08:45 | KU Innovation Park Main Facility, 2029 Becker Dr, Lawrence, KS, 66047, United States
Stop by the Park on Tuesday, June 17, between 7:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. to grab coffee from Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck! Travelin’ Tom’s brings the café experience to you with specialty food trucks serving fresh-brewed coffee, tea, and energizing drinks. Whether you’re craving a bold cup of coffee, a refreshing iced tea, or a creamy, frozen treat, we have the perfect drink to fuel your day. Our coffee to-go menu features a variety of specialty beverages, from smooth lattes and energizing cold brews to fruity refreshers and TILT Nitro Energy™ drinks. Customize your order with dairy alternatives like almond or oat milk, or explore the menu below to find your new favorite sip.

Lunch & Learn at the Park: Mapping the Ecosystem
2025-06-19 11:45 - 13:00 | KU Innovation Park Phase III, 2033 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS
The entrepreneurial journey rarely comes with a map—but it helps to have a guide.
Join The Park at its June Lunch and Learn, a practical conversation with a panel of leaders across our regional innovation ecosystem. This panel will help you chart a course through the many resources available to entrepreneurs—explaining what they are, how to access them, and when they matter most in your startup journey.
Think of this session as your startup survival manual. Our panel of ecosystem insiders will break down who does what, how to engage with the right resources at the right time, and what steps to take next—no matter where you are in your journey. From idea stage to scaling up, you’ll learn how to make the most of the support systems around you.
Please note: This Lunch and Learn falls on Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans. KU Innovation Park acknowledges the importance of this day in our nation’s history and encourages our community to take time for thoughtful reflection and continued learning.
Lunch and networking begin at 11:45 a.m., and the presentation will be from 12 to 1 p.m. at KU Innovation Park.This event is free, but registration is required as lunch will be provided. Please register below. This event is open to anyone. You do not have to work for a Park company to attend. If you register and can no longer attend, please let us know.

MEET THE PANEL

Brian Anderson – Executive Director, Entrepreneurship Initiatives, Frank T. Stockton Professor at the KU School of Business
Brian Anderson is the Frank T. Stockton Professor and a Professor of Entrepreneurship at the KU School of Business, where he also serves as Executive Director of Entrepreneurship Initiatives. He earned his doctorate in strategic management from the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University.
Anderson’s research centers on strategic entrepreneurship, focusing on causal inference, measurement issues, and Bayesian treatment of the entrepreneurial orientation and strategic entrepreneurial behavior constructs.

Will Katz – Lecturer, MBA program at the KU School of Business; KU Small Business Development Center
Will Katz has been a resident of Lawrence, Kansas, since 1986. He came to Lawrence as an undergraduate at KU, where he studied philosophy and Russian. He received his B.A. in 1993 and earned his MBA from KU in 2001. He brings to this position a variety of professional and management experience from companies both large and small. Katz spent 17 years at E and E Display Group, beginning in 1987 and culminating with a stint as production manager. He has also served as a leader in Fortune 50 companies: General Motors and Target.

Chris Rehkamp – Director of Business Services, KU Innovation Park
Chris Rehkamp is an experienced entrepreneurial ecosystem builder and has supported the launch and growth of new businesses for nearly a decade. An entrepreneur himself, Rehkamp previously served as associate director of the Technology Venture Studio at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Innovation Center. Chris has a Master of Professional Studies in Technology Entrepreneurship from the University of Maryland. Startland News named him a Community Builder to Watch in 2022.

That Gelato & Sorbetto Guy at the Park
2025-06-25 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-23 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-08-27 14:00 - 16:00 | KU Innovation Park Main Facility, 2029 Becker Dr, Lawrence, KS, 66047, United States
Kick off spring with a sweet treat! Mark your calendar once a month from 2 to 4 pm, for a special pop-up at KU Innovation Park showcasing some favorite gelato and sorbetto creations!
Upcoming dates: May 21, June 25, July 23, August 27
Indulge in a variety of refreshing flavors, each crafted to perfection. We’re thrilled to introduce some exciting new fall flavors that capture the essence of the season. Imagine rich, creamy gelato infused with the warmth of autumn spices and fruity sorbettos bursting with the fresh taste of seasonal fruits. Whether you prefer the smoothness of gelato or the lightness of sorbetto, there’s something to delight every palate.
But this event is more than just a tasty treat—it’s a full sensory experience. Bring your friends, bring your family, and savor every scoop as you make sweet memories together.

Barbwire Barbecue at the Park
2025-06-26 11:00 - 13:00 | KU Innovation Park Main Facility, 2029 Becker Dr, Lawrence, KS, 66047, United States
You’re not going to want to miss this one! Stop by the Park or plan on a team lunch when the Barbwire Barbecue food truck stops by the Park on Thursday, June 26, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The menu has everything from shared snacks to sandwiches, sides and sweets! See the menu by clicking here.

Torched Goodness at the Park
2025-07-15 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-12 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-09-09 14:00 - 15:00 | KU Innovation Park Main Facility, 2029 Becker Dr, Lawrence, KS, 66047, United States
Torched Goodness will be at the Park monthly starting in May until October, from 2 to 3 p.m. Stop by and grab a crème brûlée!
Upcoming dates: May 13, June 10, July 15, August 12, September 9, October 14

Ready Set Score: Get Ready for the World Cup
2025-07-17 08:30 - 17:00 | KU Innovation Park Phase III, 2033 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS
Please note: this event is being organized by The Chamber, Lawrence, Kansas. To register for this event, visit their website by clicking here.
Business owners, community leaders, and entrepreneurs are invited to join a powerful one-day event designed to prepare local businesses for the opportunities surrounding the 2026 World Cup. Hosted by Kira Chereé Cobb of the Actuate Consulting Team in collaboration with The Chamber of Lawrence, this regional forum will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2025, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM at KU Innovation Park Phase III Auditorium, 2033 Becker Dr., in Lawrence, Kan.
Registration is $20.00, which includes a continental breakfast and boxed lunch. Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged.
This highly anticipated gathering will feature experts, city officials, and resource providers from across the region, offering actionable insights and guidance for leveraging one of the largest international sporting events ever hosted in the United States.
Event Highlights Include:

2026 World Cup Overview
Business Readiness Strategies for Small Businesses by Kira Cobb
Municipalities Compliance Panel with leaders from Lawrence, Eudora, Baldwin City, and Lecompton, KS
Insights from the Kansas Department of Labor
Working Lunch focused on Creating Collaborative Experiences for International Travelers
Cultural Awareness Session led by KU International Affairs Department
Food Entrepreneurs & Restaurant Panel featuring the DoCo Food Entrepreneurs Policy Group and Rick Renfro of Johnny’s
Finance & Funding Panel with Network KS, Local Bank Representatives, and AltCap
Technical Assistance Resource Fair connecting attendees to business support organizations

“This forum is not just about preparing for the World Cup—it’s about creating long-term impact through business readiness, cross-sector collaboration, and economic development,” says Kira Cheree Cobb, CEO of Actuate Consulting Team

SBIR/STTR Boot Camp
2025-07-24 09:00 - 2025-07-25 14:00 | KU Innovation Park Main Facility, 2029 Becker Dr, Lawrence, KS, 66047, United States
From breakthrough medical devices to renewable energy solutions, your innovative technology could be the next big thing – and the SBIR/STTR program could help make it happen. But it’s not the most straightforward process to undertake. That’s why KU Innovation Park is hosting an SBIR/STTR boot camp on July 24-25. An application is required to participate, and space is limited. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11.

Apply here by July 11

The basics
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are U.S. government initiatives that provide funding to small businesses engaged in federal research and development (R&D) with strong commercialization potential. These programs aim to stimulate technological innovation, meet federal R&D needs, and encourage the participation of socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in technological innovation. The SBIR and STTR programs encompass a broad spectrum of technologies, including but not limited to:

Health and biomedical innovations: Think medical devices, diagnostics, digital health solutions and pharmaceuticals.
Defense and aerospace technologies: That includes advanced materials, cybersecurity and space exploration tools.
Education and information technologies: This covers educational software, learning platforms and data analytics tools.

Each federal agency participating in the SBIR/STTR programs identifies specific R&D topics in their solicitations, reflecting their mission and priorities. For instance, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) focuses on health-related innovations, while the Department of Defense (DoD) emphasizes defense technologies.

Eligibility
To qualify for SBIR/STTR funding, a business must:

Be a for-profit entity with a business location in the United States.
Have no more than 500 employees, including affiliates.
Be more than 50% directly owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

See the full eligibility criteria here.
For STTR, the small business must partner with a U.S. research institution, such as a university or a nonprofit research organization.
Engaging with the SBIR and STTR programs can provide small businesses with critical funding to advance innovative technologies from concept to commercialization, contributing significantly to technological advancement and economic growth.

Apply by July 11
Led by Julie Assel, one of the region’s most accomplished grant writers, and supported by the KU Innovation Park team, this hands-on program will guide researchers in the KU community through the critical steps of preparing a strong SBIR/STTR grant application. Participants will benefit from group instruction and personalized coaching as they draft and refine key sections of their proposals.
By the end of the boot camp, attendees will have developed a solid working draft to kickstart their grant submission process.
Attendees should be able to attend both days of the boot camp – July 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and July 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lunch & Learn: Going Global
2025-07-31 11:45 - 13:00 | KU Innovation Park Main Facility, 2029 Becker Dr, Lawrence, KS, 66047, United States
Thinking globally? Start here.
Join KU Innovation Park for its next Lunch and Learn featuring the Kansas Department of Commerce’s International Division on Thursday, July 31, at 11:45 a.m. This session is designed to help entrepreneurs and growing companies explore how to take their products and services to new international markets. From funding support to navigating export logistics, experts from Kansas Commerce will share what you need to know to compete — and succeed — on the global stage.
Whether you’re export-ready or just curious, bring your questions and your appetite for opportunity.
Lunch and networking begin at 11:45 a.m., and the presentation will be from 12 to 1 p.m. at KU Innovation Park’s Main Facility, 2029 Becker Dr.

This event is free, but registration is required as lunch will be provided. Please register below. This event is open to anyone. You do not have to work for a Park company to attend. If you register and can no longer attend, please let us know.

Travelin' Tom's Coffee Truck at the Park
2025-08-19 07:30 - 08:45 | KU Innovation Park Main Facility, 2029 Becker Dr, Lawrence, KS, 66047, United States
Stop by the Park on Tuesday, August 19, between 7:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. to grab coffee from Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck! Travelin’ Tom’s brings the café experience to you with specialty food trucks serving fresh-brewed coffee, tea, and energizing drinks. Whether you’re craving a bold cup of coffee, a refreshing iced tea, or a creamy, frozen treat, we have the perfect drink to fuel your day. Our coffee to-go menu features a variety of specialty beverages, from smooth lattes and energizing cold brews to fruity refreshers and TILT Nitro Energy™ drinks. Customize your order with dairy alternatives like almond or oat milk, or explore the menu below to find your new favorite sip.

Lunch & Learn: The Innovator's Mindset
2025-08-28 11:45 - 13:00 | KU Innovation Park Phase III, 2033 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS
We often think of creativity as a talent—something you’re either born with or you’re not. But neuroscience tells a different story. Creativity is a skill that can be trained, strengthened, and rewired—just like a muscle. The most innovative thinkers aren’t just naturally creative. They’ve learned how to intentionally break free from habitual thinking, challenge assumptions, and embrace discomfort to unlock breakthrough ideas.
Join us on Thursday, August 28, for KU Innovation Park’s next lunch and learn to explore how your brain resists innovation and how to override those limitations. You’ll discover practical mental models, habits, and exercises that help you rewire your brain for curiosity, adaptability, and creative problem-solving.
Lunch and networking begin at 11:45 a.m., and the presentation will be from 12 to 1 p.m. at KU Innovation Park’s Phase III Facility, 2033 Becker Drive.
Whether you’re a developer, designer, product leader, or entrepreneur, this talk will give you the cognitive tools and actionable techniques to consistently generate fresh ideas, adapt to change, and sustain innovation over time.
Key takeaways from this session include:

How to think like an innovator. Gain techniques to break free from habitual thinking and generate bold, original ideas.
Strengthening your creative resilience. Discover how to push through failures, setbacks, and uncertainty with confidence.
Rewiring your brain for adaptability. Walk away with practical exercises to train yourself for constant reinvention and innovation.

This event is free, but registration is required as lunch will be provided. Please register below. This event is open to anyone. You do not have to work for a Park company to attend. If you register and can no longer attend, please let us know.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: JL HEATHER
JL Heather helps leaders and teams turn complexity into innovation. With 20 years in organizational transformation and clients including VML, Ford, Pfizer, Wendy’s, T-Mobile, and HP, JL blends deep coaching expertise with lean, agile, and human-centered approaches to accelerate change. As a certified leadership coach, JL creates environments where leaders co-create solutions, shorten innovation cycles, and build cultures that thrive on change.

ACCEL-KS Presentation & Celebration
2025-09-08 09:30 - 11:00 | KU Innovation Park Phase III, 2033 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS
Who doesn’t love seeing a giant check presentation? Join KU Innovation Park on Monday, September 8, at 9:30 a.m. to learn more about the ACCEL-KS program and hear from the Kansas Department of Commerce.
ACCEL-KS will provide Kansas entrepreneurs with proof-of-concept funding. An application process will launch in early September. Selected entrepreneurs will have access to an online education platform that will cover all sorts of relevant topics for commercialization and startups. The program emphasizes technical assistance, mentorship, prototyping resources and commercialization support to advance high-impact PoC projects.
Program:

Doors open at 9:30 a.m. for networking and light refreshments
Remarks from program leaders, including information about the vision of ACCEL-KS
Optional tours of KU Innovation Park

Please RSVP below if you’re able to attend this celebration!
