Topeka’s new community-built innovation incubator turns soil; leaders eager to show the world what grows

TOPEKA — It’s not just about breaking new ground in the state’s capital, said Neal Spencer; the Link Innovation Labs project’s global reach serves as “a foundation for growth, impact, and the future of our great city.”

“It’ll be a hub for ideas, connection and opportunity — a place where startups launch, collaborators spark, and careers are built,” explained Spencer, chair of the board for Go Topeka, the economic development agency behind the in-the-works Topeka incubator.

Link Innovation Labs is designed to help startups move from early ideas to market-ready solutions. Set to open in January 2026, the 18,000-square-foot space at 220 SE 6th St. is expected to feature wet and dry labs, co-working areas, conference rooms, offices, and a coffee shop.

Community members network beneath renderings of the future Link Innovation Labs during a groundbreaking event for the space; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

Neal Spencer, chair of the board for Go Topeka, speaks during ceremonial groundbreaking for the Link Innovation Labs space in downtown Topeka; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

A ceremonial groundbreaking Wednesday allowed regional civic leaders, builders, backers, and community partners a first look at the space, as well as an opportunity to celebrate the progress toward Go Topeka’s goals so far.

“Today marks the beginning of something bold, not just for downtown Topeka, but for the future and innovation of Kansas,” Spencer said during the event. “This project is four years in the making. It’s taken vision, determination, and a lot of perseverance to reach this point.”

Planned as a launchpad for scientific discovery, entrepreneurial collaboration, and business development, Link Innovation Labs also officially announced its first tenant Wednesday: global startup accelerator Plug and Play, which already boasts an active program in Topeka.

RELATED: Global startups plug into Topeka: How Kansas connections are powering their innovation

Topeka and regional leaders participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Link Innovation Labs space in downtown Topeka; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

Opportunity moves fast with collaboration

From its start, the Link Innovation Lab project has been driven by collaboration and a shared goal to make Topeka a hub for innovation in the Midwest, leaders said Wednesday.

Michael Padilla, mayor of Topeka, details the community collaboration required to advance the Link Innovation Labs project; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

“This is a joint operation between the county and the city,” noted Michael Padilla, mayor of Topeka. “It goes to show you, if you spend a little time working together, how things will come around.”

He called attention to the dramatic evolution within the building — formerly offices for AT&T — since the redevelopment began.

“I’m amazed at how much business change has already happened to this building compared to the last time I was in here,” Padilla said.

The groundbreaking event drew attendees from across the state and beyond, including representatives from Kansas State University, KU Innovation Park, the Kansas Department of Commerce, regional startups, and even international guests from Australia and Canada, in town for Plug and Play’s nearby startup expo.

“In 1986, John Hughes in his sentimental film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off said, ‘Life moves fast. And if you don’t take time and look around, you could miss it,’” said Kevin Cook, commissioner for Shawnee County. “Well, in tech, life moves exceptionally fast. That’s what this space represents, opportunities.”

Check out a photo gallery from the groundbreaking event below, then keep reading.

Building that missing piece

Kevin Cook, commissioner for Shawnee County, speaks during ceremonial groundbreaking for the Link Innovation Labs space in downtown Topeka; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

Cook emphasized the role Link Innovation Labs will play in filling a long-standing need in the local startup ecosystem. With Plug and Play — the Silicon Valley-based accelerator with international reach — as its first tenant, the space gives Topeka’s innovation scene the infrastructure it needs to grow, he said.

“Plug and Play has shown the potential Topeka has to make a difference not just locally, but globally,” Cook said. “We needed lab space to make that happen. That’s the missing piece, and this fills that gap.”

ICYMI: How Silicon Valley, Topeka joined forces for a downtown tech incubator in Top City capital

Plug and Play’s impact can’t be understated, said Stephanie Moran, senior vice president for innovation at Go Topeka and interim CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership.

“We have startups here from around the world,” she said. “It’s exciting to see the kind of attention and momentum building here.”

And Link Innovation Labs helps make that exposure possible, added Lindsay Lebahn, director at Plug and Play Topeka, noting the built-out space is a key milestone for entrepreneurs at home and connected to the accelerator.

“It’s been important for us to lead in innovation in Topeka and the region,” she said of recent years’ focused efforts on building a place for scaling entrepreneurship in the heart of the Midwest. “That collaboration piece is what excites me, it’s essential for entrepreneurs’ success.”

Lindsay Lebahn, director at Plug and Play Topeka, and Stephanie Moran, senior vice president for innovation at Go Topeka and interim CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

Fueling future growth

With $5 million already committed from public and private sources, Link Innovation Labs is shaping up to be a major economic catalyst for Topeka and a sign that Kansas welcomes innovation, Moran said.

“This project wouldn’t have been possible without the collaboration and commitment of so many people,” she noted, standing alongside more than a dozen partners — golden shovels in hand.

After the ceremony, Lebahn reflected on the journey to get the project from an idea to reality.

“You envision what it’s going to look like. You wonder if it will ever happen,” she said. “Innovation takes time. Communities take time. You don’t want to force it, you nurture it, give it a chance to grow. That’s exactly what Topeka has been doing.”