The University of Kansas School of Business has received a \$10 million gift commitment from an anonymous donor to support the construction of a new entrepreneurship hub. This facility, located at 1420 Crescent Road on the former site of McLain’s Bakery and previously the Jayhawk Bookstore, will serve the entire KU community by providing students with opportunities to develop problem-solving skills and foster innovation.
This latest gift adds to a \$50 million lead donation made by the same donor in 2023, bringing their total contribution to \$60 million—the largest in the history of the KU School of Business. The funding will not only advance the entrepreneurship program but also support initiatives aimed at undergraduate success, including career development, study abroad programs, and academic enrichment.
The donor, a longtime supporter of the university, views entrepreneurship as a powerful tool for addressing real-world problems and improving lives. Their goal is to inspire additional philanthropic support while helping students explore ways to revitalize Kansas communities, create entrepreneurial opportunities in key areas such as health care, energy, and education, and prepare graduates to apply entrepreneurial skills in any career.
KU Chancellor Douglas A. Girod emphasized that this gift comes during a transformative period for the university, highlighting the strengthening of the business school and the addition of the entrepreneurship center. He noted that the new hub will expand access to entrepreneurial learning for students across all disciplines, with about 70% of current participants in entrepreneurship initiatives coming from outside the business school.
The entrepreneurship hub will house co-curricular programs such as The Catalyst, Jayhawk Consulting, and RedTire, which provide hands-on experience to students from various fields. These programs allow students to develop their own ventures, offer consulting services to regional clients, and assist retiring business owners with business transitions.
Incoming dean of the KU School of Business, Jide Wintoki, described the investment as a significant step toward enhancing interdisciplinary entrepreneurial education at the university. He said the dedicated space will improve how the school equips students with the skills and experience needed to drive innovation.
Dan Martin, president of KU Endowment—the nonprofit foundation responsible for fundraising and fund management for KU—stated that the gift will benefit students for generations. He expressed gratitude for the donor’s commitment to helping students develop valuable entrepreneurship skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Founded in 1891, KU Endowment is the first foundation of its kind at a public university in the United States, playing a key role in supporting the university’s growth and success.
