Kansas University is partnering with a regional entrepreneur development program to translate more KU technologies into new products and startup companies, the university recently announced.

Pipeline describes itself as “an elite organization of the Midwest’s most successful, high-performance entrepreneurs.” Ten to 12 new entrepreneurs a year are invited to join Pipeline as fellows, who participate in a yearlong business leadership development program.

KU’s partnership with the program enables the university to facilitate a more direct relationship between university researchers and Pipeline’s entrepreneurs, which in turn will encourage the transfer of KU discoveries into new consumer products and startups, KU said in a news release. Additionally, the partnership means all KU-affiliated entrepreneurs can now apply to become Pipeline fellows.

KU Innovation and Collaboration will manage the partnership on behalf of the entire university.

“The Pipeline program’s demonstrated success in scaling high-growth entrepreneurs makes it a natural partner to assist KU as we continue building a strategy to move more KU technologies into startup companies,” Julie Nagel, interim president of KU Innovation and Collaboration and interim associate chancellor for innovation and entrepreneurship, said in the news release. “This partnership will expose our faculty to high-impact entrepreneurs and, more broadly, be a powerful tool to hit the goals outlined in our Bold Aspirations strategic plan.”

KU is one of several University Sponsor Partners of the Pipeline program.