Park Points – January 13, 2025

Welcome back to the first 2025 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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2025 STARTUP TO WATCH: ICORIUM ENGINEERING

Icorium Engineering Company, a Park company and KU spin-out, is a 2025 startup to watch, according to Startland News.

  • Icorium works to recycle refrigerant mixtures, critical materials that are also potent greenhouse gases.
  • Over the past year, the company has grown to eight employees.
  • The company has raised over a million dollars to date and has participated in NSF I-Corps, the Rice Business Plan Competition and the Pure Pitch Rally.

See the complete list of KC-regional startups to watch in 2025 here. Congrats to Icorium and the team for earning a spot on the list!

COMPANIES RAISE $570K FROM OREAD INVESTORS 

Oread Angel Investors network members invested $570,000 in Jayhawk-affiliated startups after its inaugural pitch event

  • The network hosted a members-only event in November for members to hear from five startups connected to the University of Kansas.
  • The network, which has approximately 70 members, has quickly gained traction after its launch in September 2024, funded by a grant from Kansas Commerce.

Our next members-only event will be in March. You can learn more about joining the network or pitching the angels here. Thanks to Startland News and the Lawrence Journal-World for covering this great news!

WHO OWNS AI-DERIVED WORK?

Have legal questions about AI-derived work? The Park’s first lunch and learn of 2025 will try to provide answers. RSVP for free for this January 30 event.

  • 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.
NEW YEAR, NEW CAPITAL

At KU Innovation Park’s capital raise boot camp last fall, entrepreneurs had the unique opportunity to learn the nuances of fundraising directly from Taylor Clauson of Abstraction Capital

  • Understand your investors. Know if you are dealing with a principal (investing their own money) or an agent (managing others’ funds).
  • Have a concise, compelling 10-12 slide deck covering the essentials: problem, solution, traction, team, and funding needs.
  • Build your network and get feedback early.

Read the rest of Taylor’s tips on the Park’s blog here.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE PARK

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