KTEC Pipeline to Match Kansas Entrepreneurs with Training, Mentors, Money

The metaphor of a pipeline is often used for describing the innovation process and, specifically, the health of a regional innovation system. Sustaining knowledge-based growth requires a steady flow of ideas, people and capital. Often, the flow can be weak in one of these areas — or clogged by other factors such as lack of key resources or programs.

A new program by the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation (KTEC) moves the pipeline metaphor toward a more tangible reality to help nurture the entrepreneurship climate in the state. The new program, KTEC Pipeline, will "identify talented and entrepreneurial Kansans, match them with best-in-class training, resources and mentors and encourage them to pursue a career as a technology entrepreneur in Kansas," KTEC President and CEO Tracy Taylor said.

There is some disagreement in those circles that discuss entrepreneurship and innovation on the academic or theoretical levels as to whether or not entrepreneurs can be nurtured through training and advice or if entrepreneurship requires some sort of innate natural ability. The latter position suggests the entrepreneurship assistance efforts of many states and organizations are for naught. KTEC Pipeline presents a model combining elements of both camps to ensure its class of eight competitively selected "Innovators" will be in the best position possible to succeed by connecting them with the training, mentoring and financial resources required for their success.

The application process begins next week for what KTEC anticipates will be a highly competitive and highly selective effort. The expected qualifications for the first class of eight Innovators reads much like a job description:

* Graduate degree or commensurate experience in science or business;

* Technology-based education, professional experience or demonstrated proclivity;

* At least three years of business or scientific management experience;

* Demonstrated leadership skills and experience;

* Strong analytical skills and the ability to conceptualize problems through analogies;

* Abilities to manage uncertainty and ambiguity and to take measured risks; and,

* Strong interpersonal and business communication skills.

Inductees receive one-year assistance and a $36,000 stipend. In addition to being matched one-to-one with an experienced and successful tech entrepreneur, Innovators will receive best-in-class training in the fundamentals of technology entrepreneurship and three-day formal learning sessions each quarter focusing on education, skill-building and networking. Pipeline mentors will be tech-oriented, proven leaders in their field or industry. Participants also will have access to other business experts, technologists and venture capitalists with the capabilities of financing early stage technology companies.

Nurturing entrepreneurial people to be successful locally is the goal of the program, one spinoff result anticipated is for these same people to provide inspiration and examples to encourage others to become entrepreneurs as well.

More information is available at http://www.ktec.com .

Copyright State Science & Technology Institute 2006. Redistribution to all others interested in tech-based economic development is strongly encouraged. Please cite the State Science & Technology Institute whenever portions are reproduced or redirected.