Link Innovation Labs, a cutting-edge 18,000-square-foot innovation incubator, has officially broken ground in the heart of downtown Topeka.
Set to open in January 2026, this dynamic redevelopment of a former AT&T office building marks a major milestone in the city’s growing innovation ecosystem.
Designed as a launchpad for scientific breakthroughs, entrepreneurial collaboration, and forward-thinking business development, Link Innovation Labs will feature eight flexible-use wet and dry laboratories, state-of-the-art co-working and conference spaces, private offices, and a vibrant café that overlooks an interactive showcase lab.
As its first anchor tenant, Link Innovation Labs proudly welcomes global startup accelerator Plug and Play Topeka—already a catalyst for innovation in the region, having supported over 100 startups since 2021.
Facility Highlights:
- Laboratories: ~7,500 sq ft across eight flexible wet and dry lab spaces, sized 650–850 sq ft each
- Event & Pitch Venue: ~2,500 sq ft for networking events, demos, training sessions, and conferences
- Co-working & Café: Modern, collaborative workspaces surround a public-facing café at the southeast corner, offering a view into a working showcase lab
- Strategic Location: Within walking distance of the Kansas State Capitol, Evergy Plaza, TPAC, and two hotels
With $5 million in public-private funding already committed, Link Innovation Labs is expected to drive significant economic growth and attract top-tier talent and investment to Topeka.
About Plug and Play Topeka: Since its inception, Plug and Play Topeka has accelerated a diverse range of high-impact startups focused on ag-tech, food systems, and animal health. Success stories include:
- Full Cycle Bioplastics: Turning food waste into compostable plastics
- Hargol FoodTech: The world’s first commercial grasshopper protein producer
- Moolec Science: Innovating plant-based animal proteins via molecular farming
- Other notable alumni include TeleTails, a pioneering veterinary telehealth platform, and Moggie, an AI-powered wearable for feline health.
Backed by corporate heavyweights such as Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Evergy, and Cargill, Plug and Play Topeka continues to propel global innovations from the heart of Kansas.
Strategic Location in a Global Industry Corridor Topeka lies within the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor—home to over 300 animal health companies responsible for 56% of the world’s animal health, diagnostics, and pet food sales. The region also boasts other innovation campuses including KU Innovation Park (Lawrence), The Kansas Bioscience Park Venture Accelerator (Olathe), MU Life Science Business Incubator (Columbia), and Nebraska Innovation Campus (Lincoln).
