Who Is Funding the Science That's Too Early for Venture Capital?
April 22, 2026
University of Kansas Medical Center
#75 in Universities
75Institution Overview
Overall
Ranking
75
61
Rank in
Research Capabilities
48
Rank in
Entrepreneurial Readiness
138
Rank in
Market Translation
Kansas City, KS
The University of Kansas Medical Center ranks 75th among universities in the Cure Innovation Index, based in Kansas City, Kansas. It places 61st in Research Capabilities and 48th in Entrepreneurial Readiness; Market Translation, at 138th, is the area with the most room for growth. The university supports an MSTP (MD-PhD) program, an MD/MBA dual degree, and a commercialization infrastructure that includes an incubator and an entrepreneur-in-residence program. Its profile leans toward discovery, with an Entrepreneurial Readiness ranking that exceeds its overall position in the index.
Ranking Metrics
Research Capabilities
University of Kansas Medical Center ranked above average for Research Capabilities, a measure of the foundational infrastructure and resources that enable an institution to conduct high-quality, innovative science. Out of the factors in this category, University of Kansas Medical Center fared best in Cutting Edge Science.
Learn MoreEntrepreneurial Readiness
University of Kansas Medical Center ranked above average for Entrepreneurial Readiness, a measure of whether the institution has built a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurship and whether faculty are engaged in and incentivized toward commercial activity. Out of the factors in this category, University of Kansas Medical Center fared best in Ecosystem Support.
Learn MoreMarket Translation
University of Kansas Medical Center ranked below average for Market Translation, a measure of how effectively a research institution moves scientific discovery out of the lab and into real-world clinical and commercial applications. Out of the factors in this category, University of Kansas Medical Center fared best in Industry Connections.
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Cure Innovation Index Methodology
From a pool of more than 6,000 institutions, the top 303 were ranked using two dozen indicators — from scientific foundation and lab infrastructure to patents, products, and partnerships — drawn from more than a dozen federal and commercial databases, an original audit of all institutions, and surveys of more than 3,300+ scientists, industry leaders, and biomedical experts.
Insights From the Cure Innovation Index
Explore by Category
Innovation isn't a single moment — it's an entire ecosystem. The Index evaluates institutions across two dozen indicators, grouped in three core domains that reveal the full picture of what it takes to turn groundbreaking science into real-world impact.
