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. 

explore ksu research

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 

A man stands in a conference room holding a smartphone displaying an app, while four others sit around a table working on laptops


  • HatchBridge Incubator

    HatchBridge Incubator supports North Atlanta entrepreneurs with vital resources for successful business development. Programming includes training on customer segmentation.

    colin ake

    Colin Ake

    Director of Incubation and Commercialization

    contact 

  • HatchBridge Incubator

    HatchBridge Incubator supports North Atlanta entrepreneurs with vital resources for successful business development. 

    colin ake

    Colin Ake

    Director of Incubation and Commercialization

    contact

  • HatchBridge Incubator

    HatchBridge Incubator supports North Atlanta entrepreneurs with vital resources for successful business development. 

    colin ake

    Colin Ake

    Director of Incubation and Commercialization

    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

    Amy Buddie

    Director of Undergraduate Research and Professor of Psychology

    contact

Person using VR headset lifts dumbbell with trainer nearby

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 

  • 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

    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
People attend a lecture on flipped classrooms and real-world experience

  • 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

    Amy Buddie

    Director of Undergraduate Research and Professor of Psychology

    contact

Students and faculty discussing a robotics project outdoors on campus

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 

  • Coles College Leadership Scholar

    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

    Justin Cochran

    Executive Director of Coles Scholars Program and Professor of Information Systems

    contact

  • 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. 

    schuyler gentry

    Dennis Loubiere

    Program Manager & Part-Time Instructor of Management

    contact

  • Mookerji Innovation Fund Program

    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. 

    dennis loubiere

    Dennis Loubiere

    Program Manager & Part-Time Instructor of Management

    contact

  • HatchBridge Incubator

    HatchBridge Incubator supports North Atlanta entrepreneurs with vital resources for successful business development. 

    colin ake

    Colin Ake

    Director of Incubation and Commercialization

    contact

  • 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

    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 
A scientist in a lab coat examines a test tube in a laboratory

  • Research Communities

    The Research Communities at KSU represent an interdisciplinary infrastructure with resources to provide faculty with meaningful research and entrepreneurial experience. 

    heather abbott

    Heather Abbott

    Director of Research Development and Associate Professor of Chemistry

    contact

  • 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

    Chris Cornelison

    Assistant Vice President for Innovation and Commercialization and Associate Professor of Microbiology

    contact

    Faculty Startup Company Guide

    view guide
  • 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

    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

    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

    Chris Cornelison

    Assistant Vice President for Innovation and Commercialization and Associate Professor of Microbiology

    contact

  • HatchBridge Incubator

    HatchBridge Incubator supports North Atlanta entrepreneurs with vital resources for successful business development. 

    colin ake

    Colin Ake

    Director of Incubation and Commercialization

    contact

  • 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

    Chris Cornelison

    Assistant Vice President for Innovation and Commercialization and Associate Professor of Microbiology

    contact

    Invention Disclosure Form 

    access form

    Software Disclosure

    view disclosure