Building a business takes more than a good idea. It takes the right support at the right time. On Tuesday, April 28, join the Park for an inside look at how the Kansas Department of Commerce is supporting entrepreneurs across the state. This panel will feature leaders from the Office of Innovation and the Office […]
Working with the University of Kansas can open doors to research expertise, talent, facilities and commercialization pathways, but only if you know where to start. Join KU Innovation Park at its next lunch and learn on Tuesday, February 24, to hear how entrepreneurs, innovators, startups and community partners can meaningfully engage with KU. Rather than […]
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept. It is actively reshaping healthcare, education, research, and the products we use every day. Join KU Innovation Park on Thursday, January 22, for this lunch-and-learn session that brings together leaders who are not theorizing about AI’s potential but are building, deploying, and governing it in real-world environments. […]
Dates: December 11, 2025 (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM) & December 12, 2025 (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 […]
Kansas just launched ACCEL-KS – Kansas SBIR/STTR Matching Program (Phases 0 and 1) to help innovators compete for federal R&D dollars and speed commercialization. Learn how to apply, who’s eligible and how partners across the state can support your proposal. Who should attendKansas-based founders, small businesses, KU researchers forming startups, and teams planning or holding […]
Join us for a dynamic conversation at the intersection of sports and technology. This special Lunch & Learn features Davyeon Ross, co-founder and CEO of ShotTracker, a real-time performance analytics platform transforming basketball at every level. He’ll sit down for a fireside chat with Matt Gardner, current vice president of growth at YinzCam and former […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Business Analyst
Riya Kesavan is a KU junior double-majoring in Finance and Economics with a minor in Intelligence and National Security Studies. Riya was recently promoted to Lead Student Ambassador for the Business Professional Development Program and a Guide-in-Training for the Entrepreneurial Catalyst Program. Riya spends her time involved with the KU Student Senate as a Nontraditional Senator and acts as a Mentoring Liaison for the KU Mentoring Program. She enjoys playing video games, throwing pottery, and trying new food places with her friends.
Business Analyst
Aidan Dove is a current Master’s degree student pursuing both a Master’s in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Business Analytics at the University of Kansas. Before attending KU, Aidan earned his Bachelor’s degree from Creighton University, double-majoring in Marketing and Business Intelligence & Analytics. Outside of crunching numbers, Aidan loves listening to records, building Legos, and spending time with his two cats, Winnie and Ruby.
Business Analyst
Sterling Smith is a sophomore at the University of Kansas, majoring in Electrical Engineering. At KU, Sterling is a Student Ambassador, a SELF Engineering Leadership Fellow, and is involved in the University Honors Program, Engineers Without Borders, and the Engineering Student Council. Outside of school, Sterling loves reading, playing volleyball & pickleball, and drinking coffee outside. He is excited to solve problems and ask lots of questions!
Administrator, Douglas County
Sarah Plinsky was hired as the County Administrator in September 2019 after serving in the interim position for nine months. She is currently a member of the board for KU Innovation Park. Before becoming the administrator, she had served as the Assistant County Administrator since December 2010. Previously, Sarah was the Assistant to the County Manager in Johnson County, Kansas. In Johnson County, she also served as the Interim Assistant County Manager for the Community Services Team and Interim Director of Public Health. Sarah is a graduate of Leadership ICMA (International City and County Management Association) and the Senior Executive Institute at the University of Virginia. She holds a B.A. in political science and a Master’s in public administration from the University of Kansas.
City Manager, City of Lawrence
Craig Owens began serving as City Manager of Lawrence in July 2019 after serving as City Manager for the City of Clayton, Missouri, for 11 years. Over the past 25 years, he has served similar positions for the cities of Rowlett, Texas, O’Fallon, Illinois, and Hazelwood, Missouri. Craig holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Kansas. He is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Craig is a former president of the Missouri City/County Management Association and the St. Louis Area City/County Management Association.
President & CEO, The Chamber, Lawrence
Bonnie Lowe has been the president and chief executive officer of The Chamber of Lawrence since January 2019. In that role, she is responsible for leadership, strategic planning, and management functions. She had earned her Bachelor of Science in Finance from Fort Hays State University. Before her current position, Bonnie was the chief operations officer for the Chamber. For four years before working with the Chamber, Bonnie was a senior civil investigator for the US Attorney’s Office. In Lawrence, from 1998 to 2008, Bonnie worked as the Community Bank President. She also served on the Lawrence City Commission.
Executive Vice President, Clinical Affairs & Chief Medical Officer, KU Medical Center
Dr. Steve Stites joined the hospital’s leadership team as senior vice president of clinical affairs in February 2012 and became executive vice president and chief medical officer for the health system in July 2018. He serves a dual role as vice chancellor for clinical affairs at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Dr. Stites received his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He completed his residency and chief residency in internal medicine at the University of Rochester and a fellowship at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Co-Founder & CSO of Icorium, Distinguished Foundation Professor
Dr. Mark Shiflett is a Distinguished Foundation Professor in the School of Engineering at the University of Kansas (KU), where his research focuses on developing environmentally friendly, energy-efficient processes and products for the chemical industry. He retired from the DuPont Company after 28 years in 2016 as a Technical Fellow in the Central Research and Development Organization at DuPont’s Experimental Station in Wilmington, Delaware. Mark is an inventor on 46 U.S. patents and has published over 130 articles on his research at DuPont. He is also the co-founder and chief science officer of Icorium Engineering Company, a KU spin-out company revolutionizing refrigerant reclamation with efficient, complete separation of even the most complex mixes.
Board Secretary – Executive Director, Lied Center of Kansas
Derek Kwan serves as the Lawrence Chamber Board Chair and secretary of KU Innovation Park’s Board of Directors. He has served as the Executive Director of the Lied Center of Kansas since January 2014. Derek previously worked for Interlochen Center for the Arts as the Executive Director of Interlochen Presents. At the Lincoln Center in New York City, Derek served as the Vice President of Concerts and Touring for Jazz and the Associate Director of Programming & Concert Operations for Jazz. A voting member of the Recording Academy, he has production credits on over 60 albums. Derek also serves as a board member for the LMH Health Foundation.
Treasurer - Chief Strategy Officer, SSC CPAs + Advisors
Michele received her Master of Accounting and Information Systems from the University of Kansas in 2001. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Kansas Society of CPAs and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. She is the past Chair of the Board of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and A past President of Junior Achievement of Douglas County. In 2019, Michele received the KSCPA/AICPA ‘Women to Watch’ Experienced Leader Award.
Commissioner, Douglas County
Karen Willey earned her Ph.D. in Geography from KU before starting and operating several successful businesses in Douglas County. Her latest company, FarmTender, LLC, is producing an online application geared toward expanding regenerative farming practices in Kansas. Currently, Dr. Willey leverages her 25 years of nonprofit board experience through her work as a professional consultant and grant writer with Futureful, a local consulting group serving health, housing, and human services nonprofits, mainly in urban Kansas City. In 2022, she was appointed to fulfill an unexpired term on the Douglas County Commission. Additionally, Dr. Willey serves as the President of BRAC, a local housing nonprofit, as a volunteer firefighter with Willow Springs Fire District, as a member of the NAACP Legal Redress Committee, and in many other community roles.
Board Chair - Chancellor, University of Kansas
Douglas Girod, M.D., has been the Chancellor of KU since 2017, where he established a bold vision for the University of Kansas to be a destination for top scholars from across the world, an engine of economic growth for Kansas, and one of the nation’s leading research universities. Chancellor Girod received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at the University of California at Davis and his M.D. from the University of California at San Francisco. He is involved with several other organizations, including as a board member of the AAU, Civic Council of Kansas City, chambers of commerce in Lawrence and Greater Kansas City, and MRI Global. Chancellor Girod was recognized with a Regional Leadership Award from the Mid-America Regional Council in 2016 for his work with KC Rising.
Vice Mayor, City of Lawrence
Mike Dever was elected to the Lawrence City Commission in 2023 and serves as Vice Mayor. Mike is the president and CEO of GuideWire Consulting, LLC. He supervises the entire staff and all departmental services and oversees a wide variety of environmental and property assessment services.
Incoming Chair, The Chamber of Lawrence
Kate Chinn is the chair-elect for The Chamber’s Board of Directors. Kate owns Express Employment Professionals in Lawrence, a leading staffing provider helping job seekers find work with a wide variety of local businesses.
Internal Operations Manager
Kerri Johnson manages the Park’s day-to-day operations, including all administrative and front office matters, managing activities, handling scheduling, and working with service providers to maintain and improve building efficiency and Park staff productivity.
Director of Operations
Mike Smithyman manages plant operations and construction, handles leasing and related client interfaces, and works with tenants and prospective tenants to meet various business growth, management, and operational needs. He brings years of experience in the commercial real estate industry to the Park. Additionally, Mike tracks and manages the Park’s economic metrics.
Vice President of Business Services
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 most recently 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.
Vice President of Strategic Communications
Lindsey Slater oversees strategic communications for the Park, raising brand awareness to drive business development and expansion while providing support to resident companies. An experienced communications professional with a knack for storytelling, Lindsey highlights the strengths of the Park and its companies through the written word, video and beyond. She most recently was the director of communications and storytelling for the Association of Chamber of Commerce Professionals. She has a journalism degree from Northwestern University's Medill School.
Chief Executive Officer & Board President
As CEO, Adam Courtney provides strategic and operational leadership of the Park, including overseeing business operations, strategic initiatives and resource management, and fostering the Park’s culture, mission and vision. Adam previously worked for the Federal Housing Finance Agency. He served as the Park’s chief financial officer for ten years before being named CEO and president of the Board in March 2024.