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Park Points – August 5, 2024

August 5, 2024

Welcome back to another edition of Park Points, a quick recap of news, information, and events relevant to KU Innovation Park’s mission and vision.

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unleash your ideas at upcoming hackathon

KU Innovation Park is pleased to host Launchpad, a startup weekend and hackathon organized by Douglas County CORE on October 4-6. This weekend-long ideation and prototyping event is for current and aspiring entrepreneurs, designers, developers and anyone wanting to gain insight into the startup process.

  • Friday includes basic training for entrepreneurs, including concepts, pitch decks and prototypes. You’ll also find your team over a happy hour.
  • The 24-hour clock starts ticking on Saturday! Attendees will have one full day to develop pitch decks or prototypes.
  • Close the weekend on Sunday with pitches and awards.

Reserve your spot for Launchpad by clicking here.

GUIDEBOOK TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP

They say it takes years of work to become an overnight success. That could also be said for some startups and founders, like Melanie Perkins of Canva or James Dyson and vacuums of the same name. And you can get practical advice on the road to success from a local serial founder.

  • Maria Flynn led Park company Orbio Biosciences until its exit in 2020.
  • Her book, Make Opportunity Happen, serves as a guidebook to entrepreneurs, especially those in the early stage.
  • She also has several free templates for founders, ranging from execution and support to adaptability and perseverance.

Events at the Park

  • The Uplift Coffee truck will be at the Park on Tuesday, August 20, from 7:30 to 9 a.m.
  • The Park’s next lunch and learn is focused on customer-centric strategies. Hear from serial entrepreneur Jaime Gassmann on Wednesday, August 28, from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. The event is free, but registration is required as lunch will be provided. You can register here.
  • 1 Million Cups Lawrence is at the Park every Wednesday at 9 a.m. Organizers are always looking for companies to present, so get up and practice your pitch in front of a friendly crowd of local entrepreneurs and business leaders! Apply to present here.
Resource of the Week: The Curse of Knowledge

Do you find it hard to talk about your startup or expertise to those outside your field? You’re not alone. “That is the curse of knowledge,” said Miro Kazakoff, a senior lecturer in managerial communication at MIT Sloan. We have to work really hard when we are communicating information to people who don’t have the same level of expertise that we have.”

Read the full article for tips on communicating your expertise. and check out the webinar around this topic below.

The Curse of Knowledge: Why Experts Struggle to Explain Their Work

by MIT Sloan
What we’re reading

Have news and notes to share? Let Lindsey Slater, vice president of strategic communications, know by clicking here.

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