KU commercialization office announces new name

LAWRENCE — Since 2008, the University of Kansas Center for Technology Commercialization (KUCTC) has been guided by a mission to bring KU innovation to the marketplace for the benefit of society and the university.

Now, that office will continue its mission, but with a new name.

KUCTC will now be known as the University of Kansas Innovation & Collaboration (KUIC), pronounced “quick.” The new name reflects the organization’s new focus and revamped structure.

“The name change signifies a new emphasis on innovation and collaboration,” said Julie Goonewardene, president of KUIC and KU’s associate vice chancellor for innovation and entrepreneurship. “Specifically, we focus on creating corporate partnerships, starting companies, licensing intellectual property and establishing research relationships with foundations, with the ultimate goal of bringing KU innovation to the marketplace in a way that benefits people and changes the world.”

In addition to the new name, KUIC has launched a new website. The site is designed to help KU researchers explore and pursue entrepreneurship, whether it’s partnering with an existing company, starting their own company or patenting their discovery. The website also includes an industry portal for businesses to engage with KU researchers and students and explore KU technologies.

KUIC’s new structure and focus dovetails with KU’s strategic plan, Bold Aspirations, which calls for an increased emphasis on entrepreneurship and industry partnerships.

“KU has a strong tradition of effective commercialization built on research in fields like drug development and delivery, education and human development, biosciences, biofuels and bioengineering, and information technologies and informatics,” Goonewardene said. “We will continue that legacy – and expand it even further – through the new KUIC structure.”

KUIC is a 501(c)(3) with a 13-member board chaired by the provost and executive chancellor of KU.