Regional University Research Collective

Driving global competitiveness to strengthen the Kansas City region’s future

Overview

The Regional University Research Collective (RURC) is a collective impact initiative led by KC Digital Drive that unites the Kansas City region’s research universities—KU, K-State, and UMKC—with civic, industry, and philanthropic partners to strengthen the region’s innovation economy.

Together, we are developing a model for collaborative research commercialization that accelerates innovation, attracts investment, and ensures communities across the region share in the benefits of innovation-led economic development.

Vision

Innovations driven by the Kansas City region’s research universities help people in our region and beyond thrive—through stronger economies, greater opportunities, and inclusive prosperity.

Mission

To make RURC a model for collaborative research commercialization that:

Strengthens the regional economy
Attracts public and private investment
Ensures broad-based community benefit from innovation-led growth

Strategic Focus

RURC bridges the goals of universities, industry, government, and communities through a shared impact framework:

University	Industry	Civic	Community
Expand applied research and industry engagement pathways	Accelerate innovation and reduce barriers to collaboration	Align innovation with public priorities and community impact	Ensure equitable access to the innovation economy
Research translation (TRL 2–4)	Talent pipeline development	Inclusive growth and regional competitiveness	Workforce and jobs
Commercialization support	Shared infrastructure and venture platforms	Policy and civic infrastructure	Place-based opportunities

Outcomes

By working together across sectors, RURC aims to:

Attract federal and philanthropic grants to fuel research and commercialization
Bring more discoveries to market and strengthen industry partnerships
Support talent pipelines that connect universities and employers
Advance public missions and enhance the region’s national reputation
Drive inclusive economic mobility and regional prosperity

Why It Matters

Research universities are engines of discovery, talent, and innovation. When aligned with civic priorities and industry needs, they become catalysts for regional economic growth. RURC is building the connective tissue that enables the Kansas City region to compete globally while creating opportunity locally.

Get Involved

RURC is currently engaging partners and investors who share a commitment to building a globally competitive, inclusive innovation ecosystem in the Kansas City region. If you are a university leader, employer, investor, or civic partner interested in shaping this effort—we want to hear from you.

Contact: rurc@kcdigitaldrive.org

Project Partners

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