KU News Release

KU entrepreneurship fair showcases new companies, technology

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas will celebrate the people whose courage — or craziness — makes the U.S. market economy so dynamic.

KU will host an Entrepreneurship Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the Relays and Courtside rooms in the Burge Union. The event is free, and refreshments will be served. The fair is part of Entrepreneurship Week USA, a national observance that takes place Feb. 24-March 3.

More than 20 KU-related companies, services and technologies — some still in the beginning stage — will be on display at the E-Fair, according to Jim Baxendale, director of KU’s Office of Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property. Participants will showcase an actual product or an emerging idea with commercial potential. Visitors are invited to walk through the E-Fair and learn more about the inventors and their ideas.

“KU has spun off 11 new companies in recent years,” said Baxendale, “and KU now has license agreements for a number of patents that grew out of KU research. Technology transfer is not the reason we do research, but it can be a very beneficial outcome for society, the university and the inventor.”

It’s been a good year locally for entrepreneurship awareness, said Baxendale. In September, an “Invention to Venture” workshop at the Kauffman Foundation, co-hosted by KU and the University of Missouri-Kansas City, drew more than 175 participants, many of them students. Also last fall, Lisa Friis, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, was named one of 10 members of the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation’s charter class of PIPELINE innovators. The program selects individuals who have shown a commitment to technology innovation in Kansas and matches them with best-in-class training, resources and mentors. Another member is George Laurence, who recently earned a master’s degree from KU.

In November, a multidisciplinary “E-Club” was formed on campus, focusing on developing entrepreneurial skills and networks for KU students, staff and faculty. Among those working with the club are Friis and Wally Meyer, director of entrepreneurship programs in the School of Business.

Nationwide, Entrepreneurship Week USA observances will include high school competitions, academic gatherings, town hall meetings and a national policy summit. More than 700 organizations are planning activities in 50 states. National sponsors are the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the New York Times and Inc. Magazine.

E-Fair participants include:
— Lawrence Regional Technology Center
— KCBioMedix (a KU medical device start-up)
— KU Small Business Development Center
— CyDex (a KU start-up)
— Flint Hills Scientific (a KU Medical Center start-up)
— HiPer Technology
— Radio Frequency ID (a KU faculty technology)
— Viking LLC (a KU aeronautical faculty start-up)
— Xenotech (a KU Medical Center start-up)

-30-

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.