KU School of Business and Techstars Programs
The partnership between the KU School of Business and Techstars represents a collective effort to invest in the future of entrepreneurship and founder development across the Jayhawk community, Kansas and the broader Midwest region.
Building the KU Innovation Ecosystem Together
Through these programs, the university's network of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and, by extension, the broader Kansas community will access opportunities such as entrepreneurial-focused events, training, and programming that create a pathway for aspiring and early-stage founders to progress on their entrepreneurial journey.
The KU and Techstars partnership brings together Techstars' global founder-development platform with KU's commitment to entrepreneurial competency, innovation mindset, and hands-on learning across the university community and, by extension, the Kansas ecosystem.
Programs Overview
The KU and Techstars partnership creates a practical founder pathway — from a high-energy weekend event to a selective 10-week founder-development program.
Techstars Startup Weekend KU
A three-day, hands-on experience where you'll pitch ideas, form teams, validate concepts, and build a startup. It's the perfect entry point into the startup world for all members of the Jayhawk community and affiliated members. Whether you have an idea but aren't sure what to do next, want to join an early-stage team, or simply want to learn entrepreneurship by doing, Startup Weekend is for you.
KU and Techstars Founder Catalyst Global
Selected KU startup teams get exclusive seats in the Techstars Founder Catalyst Global Program — a 10-week, part-time, mostly virtual program for early-stage founders. It offers expert-led masterclasses, 1-to-1 mentoring, pitch coaching, and a global community to validate ideas, refine solutions, and prepare for growth. Approximately five seats will be available for KU startup teams.
Meet the Team
Meet the Partner
