Local Startups Secure Shocking $500K in Grants—Will This Revolutionize Health Tech?

Innovative strides in pharmaceutical research are taking place at the University of Kansas, where Yezan Salamoun, a PhD student and former pharmacist, is pioneering a daily oral testosterone therapy. His work aims to provide a more convenient alternative to traditional testosterone treatments, such as injections and creams, which can often be uncomfortable and inconsistent for patients.

“Although I valued patient care, maybe my skills would be a little bit more impactful to the community at large if I – as I like to tell the joke – stopped selling drugs and started inventing and creating new medicines,” Salamoun explained. In his quest to develop a method to boost testosterone levels without the need for injections, Salamoun has also embarked on creating a startup called SteroCore, which is currently in its early stages.

Supported by KU Innovation Park, a nonprofit business incubator in Lawrence, Salamoun is leveraging resources to accelerate the commercialization of his research. He acknowledges the challenges ahead, noting that drug development typically takes between 10 to 15 years to bring a product to market. “It’s a long journey out there,” Salamoun said.

KU Innovation Park has awarded funding to 16 companies through its ACCEL-KS program, with each receiving $25,000 in grant funding, technical assistance, entrepreneurship education, and ecosystem support. This initiative aims to advance promising ideas into viable market solutions. The Kansas Department of Commerce selected KU Innovation Park as one of two organizations to distribute these grants.

Chris Rehkamp, the director of business services at KU Innovation Park, emphasized the program's goal: “ACCEL-KS is built to reduce the gap between a strong idea and a viable company. These companies are tackling real, market-driven challenges across the state.”

Salamoun’s journey reflects a growing trend in Kansas, where innovation is thriving across various sectors. The current cohort of companies in the ACCEL-KS program includes those specializing in AI, health sciences, manufacturing, and community infrastructure.

In the realm of technology, another company gaining traction at KU Innovation Park is VOISS, which utilizes a virtual reality program to help adolescents learn and practice social skills. Co-principal investigator Amber Rowland highlighted the app's versatility, noting it can be used on various devices, including tablets and Chromebooks. The application allows students to simulate real-life scenarios, such as joining a basketball game, providing positive reinforcement for successful interactions.

“The cool thing about the game is that you can go in and practice as many times as you want,” Rowland stated. “You can do it wrong as many times as you need to in order to feel confident and comfortable with the ideal way forward.”

VOISS is designed not just for children with autism but for anyone seeking to enhance their social skills. The platform's goal is to prepare young people for real-life interactions, which are becoming increasingly vital as artificial intelligence permeates the job market. Rowland emphasized the importance of developing social skills in the workplace, saying, “we really see VOISS being a tool that anyone can use to prepare for any sort of social situation.”

Another innovative venture receiving funding through KU Innovation Park is Myndset, a mental health strength training platform designed for athletes. Founder Craig Mason aims to help athletes manage pressure in high-stakes situations. He believes that the stories people tell themselves can significantly affect their performance. “This really becomes a training and operating system that we can deploy to athletic departments and to schools,” Mason explained.

With the backing of KU Innovation Park, Myndset plans to continue refining its application and expand its reach across the region and beyond. “Having the backing through the KU Innovation Park, which is where we’re housed, is a vote of confidence that we’re building something that matters in Kansas,” Mason said.

The current ACCEL-KS cohort is not merely a collection of startups but a representation of Kansas's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth. Romaine Redman, chief innovation and strategy officer at the Kansas Department of Commerce, noted, “These companies reflect the depth and momentum of innovation happening across the state.”

As Salamoun, Rowland, and Mason forge ahead in their respective fields, their stories exemplify the transformative potential of innovation in Kansas. With supportive ecosystems like KU Innovation Park, the future looks promising for these ventures and the broader economic landscape of the state.