Startup Jayhawk
Startup Jayhawk is a multiday celebration of the student entrepreneurial ecosystem at the University of Kansas and the communities we serve.
Startup Jayhawk 2024
Startup Jayhawk 2024 will be March 22, 25 and 26 at Capitol Federal Hall.
This multiday event offers students opportunities to learn from professionals who work at startups; to ideate and develop startup solutions leveraging AI; and to hear from an expert and author whose work focuses on innovation.
The school hosts Startup Jayhawk events annually to highlight its role as the hub for student entrepreneurs at KU.
Read about the 2024 Startup Jayhawk lineup and find event registrations below.
Startup Jayhawk Day 1 – Friday, March 22
9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Kansas City (Meet/return at Capitol Federal Hall)
Presented in partnership with Startland News, students will meet at Capitol Federal Hall by 8:45 a.m. to take an all-day bus trip around the Kansas City area to visit several startup companies. Lunch will be provided. Students should expect to return to Capitol Federal Hall between 4–4:30 p.m.
School of Business students will receive 20 ePoints for attending.
Registration information:
Startup Jayhawk Day 2 – Monday, March 25
3–4 p.m. Tim Barton Colloquium,1010 Capitol Federal Hall
Students are invited to participate in this 60-minute creative startup challenge using AI, hosted by Josh Wexler, the KU School of Business Innovator-in-Residence. By the end, students will learn how to use AI effectively, discover how it can be used as a creative helper, and understand how to generate business ideas with the help of AI and the Lean Canvas, a one-page business plan template that helps deconstruct an idea into key assumptions.
Participating students should bring a laptop to this event. Light refreshments will be provided.
School of Business students will receive 10 ePoints for participating.
Registration information:
Startup Jayhawk Day 3 – Tuesday, March 26
6:30–7:45 p.m. Dicus Family Auditorium, 1111 Capitol Federal Hall
Steven Johnson, best-selling author and a leader in innovation, will present “Where Good Ideas Come From: Patterns of Innovation and How We Got to Now,” examining the cultural, environmental, biological and historical factors that fuel major developments.
Johnson is the editorial director at Google Labs, a cornerstone of Google’s artificial intelligence division. He also is one of the creators of NotebookLM, Google’s experimental AI-powered research tool designed to generate insights and information based on the user’s notes or other selected sources.
In addition to his numerous books exploring science, technology and innovation, Johnson also regularly writes for Wired magazine, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and other publications. He hosts the TED Interview podcast and has delivered several TED Talks.
School of Business students will receive 10 ePoints for attending this event.
Registration information:
This event is open to the public, but registration is required.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend University of Kansas sponsored events. If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this event, please contact Ryan Rains by March 18, 2024, at ryan.rains@ku.edu.