Q&A: Link Innovation Labs
When Link Innovation Labs opened at 220 S.E. 6th St. in February, the case for becoming an entrepreneur in Topeka got considerably stronger. Situated near two research universities and the Animal Health Corridor, Link was conceived as a hub where startups, small businesses and innovators can access lab space, mentorship, funding connections and a network of community partners.
TK Magazine sat down with Stephanie Moran, Senior Vice President of Innovation at GO Topeka, to learn how Link came to be and what it means for the region’s future.
What inspired the creation of Link Innovation Labs?
When we looked at similarly sized communities that had seen significant growth, we found that innovation districts or campuses had contributed to that growth and diversified the industry economic base of those communities. With Topeka sitting within the Animal Health Corridor, it became apparent that there was an opportunity to host an Animal Health accelerator program that could attract those companies to Topeka and the surrounding region.
As a dedicated space, Link provides access to laboratory facilities, university connections for tech validation, government resources, industry partners and investors, and its central location within the United States offers convenient interstate access. Quality of life and cost of living are key factors as we work to attract these startups to locate in the community. We are also able to support local startups across a variety of industry sectors with the facilities, programming and connections that Link has to offer, which keep those founders from leaving the area.
The project was initially discussed as the Astra Innovation Center before becoming Link Innovation Labs. How did that concept evolve?
Coming out of the Momentum 2022 Strategy, the initial location we identified for the Astra Innovation Center was at 7th and Kansas in the Wolfe and Woolworths buildings. Due to a variety of circumstances, that project had difficulty moving forward and in the summer of 2024 the decision was made to look at alternate locations in downtown Topeka. The current building at 220 S.E. 6th St. quickly rose to the top of the list because its overall infrastructure is a good fit for laboratory space. As we discussed names for the facility, the conversations kept coming back to “linking” startups and entrepreneurs to the resources they needed to link, build and launch their business, which is how we landed on the name.
Who is Link’s target audience?
We support entrepreneurs and innovators at every stage, from youth and first-time founders to existing businesses and tech startups. We partner with our other entrepreneurial support organizations (ESO) in the community such as Omni Circle, Washburn SBDC, Network Kansas, Plug and Play, K-State Extension, the Department of Commerce and university partners, among others, to provide connections to the appropriate pathways for programming, resources and support for building business and marketing plans. We also provide connections to business service providers such as legal, marketing and accounting, as well as insights into funding mechanisms through a variety of loan programs, matching incentives and grant programs.
Entry-level entrepreneurship programming often starts with Ignite and Ascend classes at Omni Circle and consulting on business plans with Washburn SBDC. Existing business programming and support, collegiate programming with Washburn University and innovation/tech accelerator programming are now running at Link Innovation Labs.
What partnerships and collaborations played a role in bringing the project to life?
With this being a community-developed project, it’s really been a collaborative effort. First, the Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) board made a strategic investment in alignment with the Momentum 2022 and Momentum 2027 community strategies, to provide $9.5 million in buildout costs and leasing for the project. The building owner, AIM Strategies, has also put investment into infrastructure including HVAC, boilers and mechanical systems, as well as remediation on additional floors to prepare the building for future buildout. The contractor, architect, lab consultants and subcontractors on the project (KBS Constructors, Hufft Architect, PKMR and Clark & Enersen, among others) were all committed to completing the work in just 14 months, from funding approval to opening.
What types of resources can entrepreneurs expect to find at Link?
We want to ensure that each individual and business has a strong foundation and the tools they need for long-term success. Link serves the local entrepreneurial and small business community through a variety of programs and training opportunities.
We host training and other events based on input from the business community, such as our Small Business Council training series. Our business concierge desk helps people connect with resources, mentors, subject matter experts and ESO partners based on their needs. We also have incentive and grant programs, and appointments are available for anyone who wants to learn more. Our newsletter provides timely updates on upcoming training sessions and other important information.
Link is open to the public and has an open public space with Sparrow Coffee Co., so stop in for coffee, a snack and great conversation. You will be able to take a look inside the showcase lab where tenants can lease space to use shared equipment to work on research and development (R&D) projects. We also have conference rooms, an executive boardroom and an events space that can be booked online for a variety of uses.
How does Plug and Play (a global innovation platform headquartered in Silicon Valley) fit in?
Plug and Play is a tenant at Link Innovation Labs and continues to operate the animal health and agtech accelerator programs we’ve run in partnership with them for the past five years. Twice a year, the program brings in 10 to 15 businesses — most are international — and has graduated more than 100 companies in the past five years.Many are looking for a place for a U.S. base of operations or satellite locations to expand their businesses.
The wet lab space at Link is crucial for the R&D many of these companies are working on. The lab space, combined with a dedicated facility that connects companies to universities, corporations, investors and government resources, gives startups what they need to advance their products to commercialization, and makes Topeka an attractive destination.
Although our initial programming with Plug and Play has been in the animal health and agtech industry sectors, Plug and Play has programming in more than 20 industry sectors that we can leverage to support local startups across other industry sectors including fintech, insurtech, advanced manufacturing, supply chain and many others.
What kinds of success stories are you hoping to emerge from Link?
We want to continue helping our local entrepreneurs and small businesses build foundations that will allow them to thrive for years to come, becoming legacy businesses within our community. We’re also excited to see tech startups use Link’s facilities to advance their ideas and products to commercialization, put down roots in the community, build out their own locations in Topeka and Shawnee County, and bring in new revenue, jobs and a more diversified industry base.
For someone in Topeka who has an idea but isn’t sure how to turn it into a business, what advice would you give them?
Please contact one of the ESO partners in Topeka — Link Innovation Labs, GO Topeka, Washburn SBDC or Omni Circle — before you get started. All of the organizations work together and meet monthly to ensure the entrepreneurs, innovators and small businesses in our community are getting the resources and support they need. Staff members within each organization will be able to meet with individuals, assess where they are on their entrepreneurial journey and connect with the appropriate organizations and resources for next steps. We’re all here to help, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
