KENOSHA, Wis. (December 18, 2025) – University of Wisconsin-Parkside (UW-Parkside) and Ordify AI are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership aimed at developing the future leaders in artificial intelligence and empowering local businesses with transformative AI solutions. This collaboration will provide UW-Parkside students with unparalleled hands-on experience in cutting-edge agentic AI development and solution architecture, preparing them for high-demand careers in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
The initiative leverages UW-Parkside’s established App Factory, founded in 2014, which has a proven track record of assisting businesses in overcoming critical challenges through technology. Through this new alliance, local businesses will gain access to Ordify’s intuitive no-code AI platform, powered by the innovative efforts of UW-Parkside students and faculty. Students from various academic disciplines will collaborate, under the guidance of UW-Parkside faculty and Ordify, to create custom AI agents and workflows designed to tackle real world business problems and deliver truly impactful AI solutions.
This partnership offers a unique opportunity for small and mid-sized businesses to access sophisticated AI solutions at an affordable price. Ordify’s no-code platform ensures that the implementation and maintenance of these powerful AI tools remain cost-effective, democratizing access to advanced technology for a broader range of businesses.
This is a natural evolution for UW-Parkside’s App Factory, aligning academic excellence with Ordify’s cutting-edge AI capabilities to create a sustainable model for AI innovation and education. This strategic alliance was expertly incubated and brought together by Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood (KIN), a regional innovation hub dedicated to fostering such impactful collaborations. This partnership directly embodies KIN’s goals by creating a decentralized network where academic excellence meets cutting-edge technology, driving innovation and supporting regional growth.
“This collaboration represents the future of applied learning,” said Steve Donovan, Executive Director for Parkside Works at UW-Parkside. “Alongside Ordify AI and KIN, our students will build real-world AI solutions that create value for businesses and fuel regional innovation.” Students involved in the program will gain invaluable practical skills, including client-facing AI development, solution architecture, and proposal writing, equipping them with the essential soft skills needed to thrive in this new AI age.
“We are excited to partner with UW-Parkside to bridge the gap between academic learning and business application,” stated Roger Lam, CEO/Founder of Ordify AI. “Our no-code platform, combined with the fresh perspectives and technical expertise of UW-Parkside students, will deliver powerful, cost-effective AI solutions that can truly transform businesses by automating complex processes and enhancing operational efficiency.”
“This collaboration represents exactly the kind of innovative result KIN was created to foster where higher education, emerging technology companies, and real business needs come together to produce applied learning with immediate economic impact. By connecting UW-Parkside students with Ordify AI, we’re building a pipeline of AI-enabled talent while helping businesses solve real problems.” Said Kelly Armstrong President, Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood.
This initiative is set to launch in the Spring semester, allowing ample time for project development and for training UW-Parkside faculty and students. Engagement with local businesses will commence in the summer. The program aims to strengthen the Southeastern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois region by cultivating a robust pipeline of AI-enabled talent, thereby boosting local economic development and technological advancement.
Businesses interested in participating in this innovative collaboration are encouraged to contact Steve Donovan at UW-Parkside at the following email address: parksideworks@uwp.edu.
About UW-Parkside: Since its founding in 1968, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside has been a trusted partner for the region’s higher educational needs, empowering students to thrive, advancing applied knowledge, and developing talent for the future. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificates and pre-professional programs, designed to foster personal and professional growth through real-world and impactful learning experiences. Located in the dynamic Chicago- Milwaukee corridor, UW-Parkside offers unmatched access to world-class internships, professional networks, and endless career-building opportunities, placing students at the center of it all.
About Ordify AI: Ordify AI is a leader in accessible AI automation, providing a no-code platform that empowers businesses to build and deploy custom AI agents and workflows. Ordify focuses on making AI practical, affordable, and easy to implement for businesses of all sizes, driving efficiency and innovation.
About the Kenosha Innovation Center (KIC):The Kenosha Innovation Center is a flagship facility within the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and community-driven economic development. The Center provides founders with workspace, mentorship, programming, and pathways to growth supporting the next generation of startups in the region.
About the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood (KIN): The Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, Inc., is a non-profit organization led by a volunteer board of directors composed of local and regional leaders dedicated to fostering economic recovery, improving economic sustainability and resiliency, and ensuring equitable community access to prosperity through the development of the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood (KIN).
The KIN is the revitalization and transformation of 107 acres of vacant land in the heart of Kenosha as a collaborative, mixed-use project that is bringing the community together to define and deliver a regional destination with sustainable, innovation-focused office, medical, educational, commercial, and residential space that meets the unique needs of neighbors, the broader Kenosha community, visitors, and end-users. Learn more about the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood at www.innovatekin.org.
