KU entrepreneurship program nabs award

October 6, 2015  |  Bobby Burch

The University of Kansas’ entrepreneurial education program recently earned a national award.

The University Economic Development Association awarded the Entrepreneurs@KU program its “Award of Excellence in Innovation & Entrepreneurship.”

The commendation recognizes programs that accelerate economic development by supporting startups, high-growth companies and clusters within a region, and converting talent into wealth through innovation and entrepreneurship.

“We’re excited and honored to receive this award recognizing a program that is another great example of how KU is driving economic development in our region,” Julie Nagel, interim associate vice chancellor for innovation and entrepreneurship, said in a release. “It’s great to get national recognition for programs that help turn KU discoveries into jobs and companies.”

The Entrepreneurs@KU program offers students and faculty tools to launch a business, including access to the “Startup School@KU,” proof-of-concept funds and licensing terms. The program is a result of work among KU Innovation & Collaboration, the KU School of Business’ Center for Entrepreneurship and the Bioscience & Technology Business Center at KU. KU Innovation and Collaboration manages KU’s intellectual property, licensing and startup company activities.

KU beat out several universities for the award, including finalists at the University of New Mexico, Penn State University and the University of Southern Indiana. It’s the second time that KU was recognized by the University Economic Development Association, which in 2013 named KU a national finalist with the Bioscience & Technology Business Center in the Community-Connected Campus category.

Tagged ,
Featured Business
    Featured Founder
      [adinserter block="4"]

      2015 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        Black Feast Week returns to feed restaurants new diners, combat hunger in Kansas City

        By Tommy Felts | October 8, 2025

        Opening Black Feast Week — designed to promote Black-owned restaurants, chefs, and culinary creativity — by feeding 150 single Black mothers for free was an intentional act of community care, said Joshua “JT” Taylor. “We’ve always tried to prioritize helping people who are most marginalized,” said Taylor, senior content producer and chief administrative officer at…

        ‘Night Without Borders’ opens coffee house doors to honor heritage through harmony

        By Tommy Felts | October 7, 2025

        Culture transcends borders, said Danny Soriano, surrounded Friday night in a popular Crossroads coffee shop by music, dance, art, food, and drinks that all shared a common link: Latino flavor. “Whether it’s Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Argentina, we all come together as Latinos, as Hispanics, and celebrate our heritage,” said Soriano, who organized a…

        KC GIFT orders a full meal with $100K Wah Gwan grant: Job creation (with a side of inspiration)

        By Tommy Felts | October 7, 2025

        Young people on Kansas City’s east side need to see examples of what can be achieved when someone who looks like them works hard — and wins, said Tanyech Yarbrough, pledging to use her recent grant funding from KC G.I.F.T. to mirror entrepreneurship to her community, as well as expand her Troost eatery. Yarbrough’s Wah…

        GEWKC returning to familiar venue (but its new destinations might surprise ticket holders)

        By Tommy Felts | October 7, 2025

        When Global Entrepreneurship Week pulls into the station later this fall, Kansas City participants can expect a fresh experience inside one of the region’s most iconic landmarks, said Callie England, noting an intentional effort behind the scenes should help reroute the “best of the best” events onto custom agendas. “While you’ll see a few familiar…