KU News Release

KU sponsors workshop to help students become technology entrepreneurs

LAWRENCE — The Office of Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property at the University of Kansas is sponsoring a one-day workshop designed to give university students and faculty the tools to become technology entrepreneurs.

“Invention to Venture” will take place 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, 4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, Mo.

“This workshop is designed to educate students and faculty in the process of technology commercialization,” said Jim Baxendale, KU director of technology transfer and intellectual property. “Our panelists have significant experience identifying technologies that have commercial potential. They also have experience assisting and growing early-stage companies. This workshop presents a great opportunity for faculty and students to learn from the pros.”

Presentations will focus on venture capital, marketing, intellectual property, business plans and related topics. Presenters include Cliff Illig, vice chairman and co-founder of Cerner Corp.; Lesa Mitchell, a vice president of the Kauffman Foundation; Diarmuid Boran, president of Verenta Pharmaceuticals in Lenexa; KU faculty inventors Susan Gauch (electrical engineering and computer science) and Val Stella (pharmaceutical chemistry); and Michael Song, director of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

The workshop fee is $10 for students, $25 for faculty members and $75 for the business community. The first 25 students to register will be admitted without charge. Lunch and a continental breakfast are provided.

KU students from the Lawrence campus can request transportation, but van space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Register online or call (785) 864-7783 in Kansas or (816) 235-6429 in Missouri.

The workshop is co-sponsored by the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, in cooperation with the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance and the Lemelson Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corp. and the law firm of Polsinelli Shalton Welte Suelthaus PC.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.