The College of Engineering at Wichita State University has partnered with Groover Labs, a nonprofit collaborative workspace, technology hub and rapid prototyping lab in Wichita, to support the regional business community. The collaboration aims to assist businesses in designing and building prototypes, testing proof-of-concept ideas and engaging in low-volume manufacturing.  

As part of the initiative, the college’s Project Innovation Hub is expanding its scope to accept projects from companies and community organizations. The projects – which include design and machining of parts, analyzing manufacturing processes, engaging in product development with entrepreneurs and supporting research – are executed by Wichita State students under the guidance of Project Innovation Hub staff and college faculty. A notable example of their work includes more than 400 handrails designed, manufactured and installed in Charles Koch Arena on the Wichita State campus.  

“The partnership between the college and Groover Labs underscores a shared commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening the regional economy through collaboration, creativity and education,” said Dr. Anthony Muscat, dean of the College of Engineering.

This partnership will provide more students with the opportunity to engage in real-world engineering projects that address the needs of local businesses and entrepreneurs. Working alongside experienced engineers and faculty, students will tackle complex challenges in design, manufacturing and product development, gaining practical experience that is directly applicable to their future careers.

The paid nature of these applied learning opportunities ensures that students are contributing to impactful projects while helping to fund their education and living expenses. This initiative is an essential part of Wichita State’s commitment to providing students with the tools they need to excel in the workforce while fostering innovation and supporting regional economic growth.

Groover Labs brings valuable manufacturing space, state-of-the-art equipment, business expertise and connections to the local small business community. Acting as a gateway, Groover Labs will help connect the college with entrepreneurs and businesses in the region. In turn, the college will broaden the scope of projects Groover Labs can support, enabling a wider range of innovative solutions.  

Groover Labs was founded by Curt Gridley and Tracy Hoover in 2019 to foster growth in local startup activity. The couple founded and sold the technology company, Amber Wave Systems, in the Boston area in the mid-1990s. Some of the proceeds of that sale helped create Groover Labs.

Gridley was a graduate of Wichita State and died earlier this year. Together, Gridley and Hoover made a significant gift to the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wichita State for the Curtis D. Gridley Professorship in the History and Philosophy of Science, which stands as the first fully endowed professorship in the history of the college.

“Curt always believed that engineering students should start doing engineering work as soon as possible in their academic careers,” said Hoover. “We are excited to partner with the College of Engineering to help bring that vision to life. Students can work side by side with experienced engineers and regional manufacturers to solve real-world problems as part of this partnership.”

Businesses interested in collaborating with the College of Engineering and Groover Labs on prototyping, product development or other innovation initiatives can contact Nathan Smith, the applied learning facilities manager for the college, at nathan.smith@wichita.edu or 316-978-7461.

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Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry-funded engineering R&D and No. 8 overall for engineering R&D.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

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