Innovation Partners
K-State Innovation Partners* is committed to collaborating with university, industry and communities to deliver a streamlined mission of corporate engagement, technology commercialization and economic development.
Driven by innovation, this nationally unique organizational structure serves K-State, community partners and industry in one comprehensive unit. This allows for efficient intellectual property protection, economic opportunities and a consistent experience for partners.
As a service unit and partner, we are dedicated to collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to identify common goals and shared initiatives for the benefit of K-State, communities and the state of Kansas.
Capabilities
Our core functions include:
Corporate Engagement
These efforts are focused on leveraging K-State's strengths:
- Innovation
- Talent
- Professional development capabilities
Technology Commercialization
Protect and manage K-State's university-developed intellectual property portfolio
- Deploy technology through licensing or start-up company formation
Economic Development
In partnership with university and community entities, we focus on:
Company attraction and retention
Improvement of the regional ecosystem to support economic growth
*The Kansas State University Research Foundation is doing business as K-State Innovation Partners.
Board of Directors
Peter Dorhout, chair | K-State, vice president for research |
Cynthia Enright | Partner, iValuation |
Ethan Erickson | K-State, chief financial officer and director of budget planning |
Ron Fehr | Manhattan, KS, city manager |
J. Ernest Minton | K-State, dean of The College of Agriculture and director of K-State Research and Extension |
Susan Peterson | K-State, chief government relations officer |
Jason Smith | Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, president/CEO |
