Startup Jayhawk
Startup Jayhawk is a three-day celebration of the student entrepreneurial ecosystem at the University of Kansas and the communities we serve.
Startup Jayhawk 2023
The KU School of Business' inaugural Startup Jayhawk will be April 25–27, 2023.
This three-day event offers students opportunities to network with industry leaders from the region; to learn from professionals who have developed ventures from an interest or hobby; to discover entrepreneurial support resources; and to creatively compete for prizes. The School of Business also will highlight updates to its entrepreneurship curriculum and will celebrate its experiential learning programs as part of Startup Jayhawk.
The school anticipates hosting Startup Jayhawk events annually to highlight its role as the hub for student entrepreneurs at KU.
Read about the 2023 Startup Jayhawk lineup and find event registrations below.
Startup Jayhawk Day 1 – Tuesday, April 25
4–6 p.m. Anderson Family Atrium, Capitol Federal Hall
KU students are invited to network with industry leaders representing startups and small businesses in the region. Appetizers will be provided.
School of Business students will receive 10 ePoints upon completion of the corresponding task noted in Suitable.
Registration information:
Students are not required to register to attend. Startups and small businesses interested in participating can register at this link.
6–8 p.m. Dicus Family Auditorium, 1111 Capitol Federal Hall
Jeni Britton, founder and chief creative officer of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, will discuss her journey of building her business. She will be joined in conversation with two School of Business student entrepreneurs, Sae-Vheon Alcorn and Tae-Vheon Alcorn.
Britton is a 2017 Henry Crown Fellow and has been recognized by Fast Company as one of the most creative people in business today. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is a Certified B Corporation and has more than 65 shops nationwide, an online shop that ships to all 50 states and distribution in select U.S. grocery stores.
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.
Startup Jayhawk Day 2 – Wednesday, April 26
11 a.m.–noon Nancy Walthall Doane Lecture Hall, 1020 Capitol Federal Hall
School of Business students will learn from a panel discussion of business owners who have developed business ventures from an interest or hobby.
The panel discussion will take place during a School of Business entrepreneurship course.
Noon–1:30 p.m. Anderson Family Atrium, Capitol Federal Hall
KU students are invited to connect with regional resource providers that can help them start and grow their businesses. Organizations include chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and more.
School of Business students will receive 10 ePoints upon completion of the corresponding task noted in Suitable.
Registration information:
Students are not required to register to attend. Resource providers interested in participating can register at this link.
Startup Jayhawk Day 3 – Thursday, April 27
10 a.m.–noon The Hive, 1057 Capitol Federal Hall
Students will have the opportunity to pitch original solutions to a challenge presented by a to-be-announced company. Registered teams of students will receive information about the company's challenge(s) in early April and will have until April 27 to develop a solution.
School of Business students will receive 10 ePoints for participating in this event, and the competition winners will receive an additional 10 ePoints.
Registration information:
More information and registration for the competition will open in early April.
This closing lunch will celebrate students who have participated over the spring 2023 semester in The Catalyst, Jayhawk Consulting and RedTire (Redefine your Retirement), which are the school’s entrepreneurship experiential learning programs.
This event is invite-only.
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 April 16 at ryan.rains@ku.edu.