Partner with KSU: Research. Innovation. Impact. - Office of Research

Partner with KSU: Research. Innovation. Impact. - Office of Research
Partner with KSU: Research. Innovation. Impact.
Office of Research
Partner with KSU: Research. Innovation. Impact.
Creating Solutions from Research at KSU
At Kennesaw State University, innovation is more than discovery—it’s a bridge between bold ideas and real-world solutions. KSU Innovation connects faculty, students, entrepreneurs, and industry partners in a shared mission to solve today’s most pressing challenges through applied research, technology development, and purposeful collaboration. From early-stage product development and intellectual property creation to startup support and corporate partnerships, our innovation ecosystem transforms opportunities to acceleration and lasting growth.
KSU proudly offers the talent, expertise, and resources to move ideas forward.
view our capabilities portal
Experience Innovation at KSU
I am an entrepreneur
I am an industry partner
I am an alumnus/alumna
I am a faculty member
I am a student
Supporting Startups & Entrepreneurs
KSU empowers entrepreneurs with the tools to launch, grow, and scale their ventures. From incubator programs and prototyping space to educational opportunities and access to student talent, we connect startups with the resources, expertise, and partnerships needed to move ideas into action.
Resources for Founders & Startup Teams
Startup Incubation & Business Development
Founder Networking & Peer Learning
Prototyping Resources & Workspace Access
Student Collaborators for Startup Projects
Programs & Services
Aspiring Community Entrepreneurs (ACE)
The
Aspiring Community Entrepreneurs (ACE)
program empowers early-stage entrepreneurs who have faced barriers to opportunity or access—particularly those from historically underrepresented or economically disadvantaged backgrounds—to gain the skills, confidence, and connections needed to grow strong, sustainable businesses.
T. Nichole Phillips
Clinical Assistant Professor of Management
contact
Family Enterprise Center
The
Family Enterprise Center (FEC)
is a practical hub for the family enterprise field, sharing common experiences when
navigating the business spaces where family relationships and professional demands
coexist
Sara Davis
Director of the Family Enterprise Center
contact
HatchBridge Incubator
HatchBridge Incubator
supports North Atlanta entrepreneurs with vital resources for successful business
development. Programming includes training on customer segmentation.
Colin Ake
Director of Incubation and Commercialization
contact
Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship (STRIVE)
Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship (STRIVE) exists to open the door to economic opportunity for veterans and military family members by equipping them with the knowledge, tools, and connections to succeed in business. Whether you’re just starting or looking to strengthen your early-stage venture, STRIVE is here to help you build your future.
contact
Educational & Networking Opportunities
HatchBridge Incubator
HatchBridge Incubator
supports North Atlanta entrepreneurs with vital resources for successful business development.
Colin Ake
Director of Incubation and Commercialization
contact
Incubator & Prototyping Space
HatchBridge Incubator
HatchBridge Incubator
supports North Atlanta entrepreneurs with vital resources for successful business development.
Colin Ake
Director of Incubation and Commercialization
contact
Access to Student Talent
Connect with the Robin and Doug Shore Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
At the
Robin and Doug Shore Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
, there are many ways to engage with both students and start-ups.
Birton Cowden
Academic Director of the Robin and Doug Shore Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
contact
Office of Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate students innovate solutions aligned to real-world applications, which leads to their transformative experience from consumers to producers of knowledge.
Amy Buddie
Director of Undergraduate Research and Professor of Psychology
contact
Industry Partners: Connect with Emerging Talent
KSU students bring fresh ideas, technical skills, and a problem-solving mindset to real-world challenges. Through research partnerships, internships, and project-based collaborations, industry partners can connect with high-performing undergraduates ready to contribute to your organization’s innovation and growth.
Collaboration Opportunities for Your Industry
Student Internships & Co-ops
Applied Research Collaboration
Capstone & Class Project Partnerships
Workforce Pipeline Development
Access to KSU Student Talent
Robin and Doug Shore Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
At the
Robin and Doug Shore Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
, there are many ways to engage with both students and start-ups.
Birton Cowden
Academic Director of the Robin and Doug Shore Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
contact
Office of Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate students innovate solutions aligned to real-world applications, which leads to their transformative experience from consumers to producers of knowledge.
Amy Buddie
Director of Undergraduate Research and Professor of Psychology
contact
Alumni: Promoting the Next Generation of Innovators
As a KSU graduate, you can help shape the future by engaging with student researchers
and emerging talent. Whether you're looking to mentor, collaborate, or tap into fresh
ideas, the Office of Undergraduate Research offers meaningful ways to stay connected
and contribute to the surrounding community with real innovation.
Ways for Alumni to Get Involved
Alumni Mentorship & Guest Speaking
Student-Faculty Innovation Partnerships
Participation in Innovation Events
Support for Undergraduate Research Initiatives
Access to KSU Student Talent
Connect with the Robin and Doug Shore Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
At the
Robin and Doug Shore Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
, there are many ways to engage with both students and start-ups.
Birton Cowden
Academic Director of the Robin and Doug Shore Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
contact
Office of Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate students innovate solutions aligned to real-world applications, which leads to their transformative experience from consumers to producers of knowledge.
Amy Buddie
Director of Undergraduate Research and Professor of Psychology
contact
Students: Launch Your Future Through Innovation
Whether you're interested in launching a startup, growing your network, or gaining real-world experience, KSU offers a wide range of opportunities to help you turn ideas into action. From leadership development and funding support to incubator access and internships, you’ll find the resources to shape your future and make your mark.
Opportunities to Grow, Lead, and Launch
Leadership Development & Professional Networking
Startup Support & Mentorship
Innovation Funding & Pitch Competitions
Access to Incubators & Collaborative Workspaces
Career Connections & Internship Placement
Education & Networking
Entrepreneurship
Whether you want to start your own company or help others develop their companies,
the
Kennesaw State University Entrepreneurship
degree will get you on the right path.
Coles College Leadership Scholars
The
Coles College Leadership Scholars
program is a leadership development program designed to give high-achieving, highly motivated business students unique opportunities that challenge them, expand their capabilities, and improve their professional networks. If you are a high-performing business student looking to maximize your college experience, then this program may be for you.
Justin Cochran
Executive Director of Coles Scholars Program and Professor of Information Systems
contact
Startup Assistance
The Robin and Doug Shore Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
The
Robin and Doug Shore Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center
provides valuable support and resources to many entrepreneurs looking to start their own businesses.
Dennis Loubiere
Program Manager & Part-Time Instructor of Management
contact
Funding
Mookerji Innovation Fund
The
Mookerji Innovation Fund
at Kennesaw State University provides over $120,000 annually in startup capital to support students and recent alumni with innovative, tech-focused business ideas.
Greg Quinet
Executive Director, Robin and Doug Shore Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center and
Associate Professor of Strategic Management/Entrepreneurship
contact
Incubator Space
HatchBridge Incubator
HatchBridge Incubator
supports North Atlanta entrepreneurs with vital resources for successful business development.
Colin Ake
Director of Incubation and Commercialization
contact
Careers & Internships
Career Planning and Development
Internships and co-ops can help you make the most of your KSU experience by allowing you the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and ultimately gain valuable work experience.
Sherrie Goodman
Director of Employer Relations and Career Outreach
contact
Faculty: Advance Research, Innovation, and Impact
KSU empowers faculty to turn research into real-world solutions. Whether you’re building interdisciplinary collaborations, launching a startup, pursuing commercialization, or securing funding, we offer the tools, resources, and infrastructure to help bring your ideas to life—and to market.
Pathways to Research & Publication
Interdisciplinary Research Communities & Peer Collaboration
Startup Support & Licensing Programs
Innovation-Focused Grant & Seed Funding Opportunities
Incubator Space & Venture Development Resources
Intellectual Property Disclosures & Protection Tools
Education & Networking
Research Communities
The
Research Communities
at KSU represent an interdisciplinary infrastructure with resources to provide faculty with meaningful research and entrepreneurial experience.
Heather Abbott
Director of Research Development and Associate Professor of Chemistry
contact
Startup Assistance
Quick Start License Program
The
Quick Start License Program
aims to better position KSU startup companies for success by offering preferred option and licensing terms, and priority support services.
Chris Cornelison
Assistant Vice President for Innovation and Commercialization and Associate Professor
of Microbiology
contact
Faculty Startup Company Guide
view guide
Funding
Innovation Launch Pad
The
Innovation Launch Pad
is a 5-session workshop, followed by asynchronous coaching, modeled on the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps program.
Colin Ake
Director of Incubation and Commercialization
contact
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR)
Through SBIR and STTR programs, federal agencies award non-dilutive funding in 2 phases to develop your technology and chart a path toward commercialization.
Chris Cornelison
Assistant Vice President for Innovation and Commercialization and Associate Professor
of Microbiology
contact
Georgia Research Alliance
The
Georgia Research Alliance (GRA)
provides non-dilutive grant funding to support the commercialization of university owned IP at Georgia universities.
Chris Cornelison
Assistant Vice President for Innovation and Commercialization and Associate Professor
of Microbiology
contact
Incubator Space
HatchBridge Incubator
HatchBridge Incubator
supports North Atlanta entrepreneurs with vital resources for successful business development.
Colin Ake
Director of Incubation and Commercialization
contact
Disclose Intellectual Property
KSU IP Policy
Read the KSU’s current Intellectual Property Policy. Because a significant portion of KSU's IP policy was based on the University System of Georgia policy on Intellectual Properties, reading this policy is recommended.
Chris Cornelison
Assistant Vice President for Innovation and Commercialization and Associate Professor
of Microbiology
contact
Invention Disclosure Form
access form
Software Disclosure
view disclosure
Explore More Ways to Partner with KSU
From protecting your innovations to launching startups, Kennesaw State offers a full
suite of services to support industry collaboration and research-driven growth. Discover
how our team can help bring your ideas to market, train your workforce, and advance
your business goals.
Intellectual Property & Patents
Training & Technical Support
Industry Engagement Opportunities
Startups & Commercialization
Driving Impact Through Research Communities
Innovative Creativity
Explore breakthroughs in creative media, performing arts, game design, interactive
technology, and AI-powered storytelling.
Health and Wellness
Join interdisciplinary efforts to advance health research and wellness outcomes across
diverse populations.
Resilient Communities
Collaborate on technologies and strategies that support resilient communities.
Applied Technologies
Connect with research focused on real-world applications of emerging technologies to solve today’s toughest problems.
Let's Work Together
Whether you're a startup, Fortune 500 company, or nonprofit, KSU is ready to collaborate.
From sponsored research to workforce partnerships, we make it easy to get started.
Name
Position
Chris Cornelison
Assistant Vice President of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships and Associate Professor of Microbiology
Assistant Vice President of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships and Associate Professor of Microbiology
ccornel5@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-5115
SC 519
Colin Ake
Executive Director, Incubation and Commercialization
Executive Director, Incubation and Commercialization
cake@kennesaw.edu
(678) 977-7039
HB 1111
Tom Waters
Director, Technology Transfer
Director, Technology Transfer
twater34@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-5348
KH 3420-A