Jane New

Jane New brings over 20 years of experience in cultivating corporate partnerships, technology commercialization, and economic development to her role as Director of Industry Partnerships at the University of Kansas. Her background spans key leadership roles at both Ohio University and The Ohio State University, where she excelled in bridging the gap between academic research and industry needs, securing funding, and managing a diverse portfolio of partnerships, ranging from large corporations to innovative startups. Jane’s experience in managing multi-million-dollar corporate portfolios and negotiating complex agreements makes her adept at structuring mutually beneficial relationships that align with both university and industry goals.

During her tenure at The Ohio State University as Associate Director of Technology Licensing & Commercialization, Jane played a pivotal role in developing and managing corporate-sponsored research and intellectual property agreements. She negotiated numerous high-value partnerships with leading corporations across multiple sectors fostering long-term research collaborations, while overseeing a portfolio of over 400 inventions and facilitating technology transfer initiatives. Her efforts in strategic relationship-building accounted for over 50% of the university’s intellectual property revenue, and she played an integral role in establishing 25 university-affiliated startups.

More recently, at Ohio University, Jane directed TechGrowth Ohio, a public-private partnership where she combined her experience in relationship management with a focus on venture development and economic growth benefiting rural Ohio. She built a network of university, local, regional and statewide partners to drive innovation, securing over $28 million in state funding and overseeing the deployment of over $5 million in grant resources to more than 100 companies. Jane also served as Vice President of the TechGrowth Ohio Fund, Inc., a $9.6 million venture fund investing in early-stage technology companies and regularly represented the Fund on portfolio company Boards of Directors, providing governance, guidance, and oversight. Her expertise in managing pre-seed investment funds and nurturing early-stage companies led to substantial economic impact, with a return of $300 for every $1 of state funding, and over $740 million in follow-on investments.

Early in her career, Jane served as President of the Kansas Innovation Corporation, where she spearheaded efforts to foster corporate partnerships focused on commercialization. In collaboration with the University of Kansas, the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, and regional industries, Jane led investments that drove over $11 million in sales. Her expertise in aligning corporate interests with regional innovation goals resulted in successful corporate acquisitions valued at $35 million. Her work included building business growth strategies and fostering a student internship program that supported early-stage technology commercialization efforts.

At KU, Jane is committed to leveraging her experience to grow corporate partnerships, enhance collaboration across the university, and promote research that addresses pressing industry challenges. Her strategic vision includes expanding industry engagement, supporting research initiatives, and fostering the development of innovative relationships that benefit both the university and external stakeholders.

With advanced degrees in both Business Administration, and Accounting and Information Systems from the University of Kansas, Jane’s strong ties to the region further enhance her ability to build meaningful and lasting collaborations. Jane’s return to her native Kansas is marked by her enthusiasm to now use her expertise and experience to contribute to KU’s mission of strengthening corporate engagement and driving innovation.