Breakthrough Innovation Lab
JASPER, IN – Kimball Office, in partnership with the Philadelphia 76ers,
recently announced plans for the Sixers Innovation Lab Crafted by Kimball. The Lab will be housed
inside of a state-of-the-art Training Complex, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2016.
“The only way we can keep pace with accelerating change and drive innovation is to be very
strategic with our partnerships and focus on creating synergy that’s difficult to duplicate,” stated
Mike Wagner, President of Kimball Office. The Sixers and Kimball Office have amassed an
impressive group of partners to help guide the entrepreneurs who will occupy the Lab, including
leadership from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Techstars, Nextstage Capital
and Dreamit Ventures. Wagner also stated, “Besides our association with these world class partners,
and being a founding member of the Lab, we plan to use this space as a sandbox to gather data and
gain insight into (what we believe is) the ultimate workplace environment. This will be our proving
ground to help build out a smart eco-system that truly optimizes effectiveness in today’s high energy
workplace.”
The leadership of the 76ers are well known for their willingness to think differently, challenge norms
and disrupt for success,” stated Wendy Murray, Director of Marketing for Kimball Office. “We
share these same values, and we’re proud to be part of the first-of-its-kind, breakthrough B2B
partnership in the sports entertainment industry.”
Philadelphia 76ers CEO Scott O’Neil said, “Included in this effort, we have some of the world’s
most brilliant, innovative, and sought-after minds in the media, sports, technology, finance, and
consumer world. Now we can truly say that we are building an organization that will be best-in-class
in both basketball operations and business, as we shift the paradigm of what sports innovation,
partnerships, and community engagement can be.”
The Innovation Lab will be the ultimate representation for the workplace of the future. The smart
interiors will seamlessly connect people with space, enabling more effectiveness of the people who
occupy the space, including the advisors who will provide consulting and mentoring to the
entrepreneurs who are selected for the program.
Murray finished by saying, “Our effort toward creating systemic innovation is really starting to pay
dividends, so stay tuned, as we have another exciting announcement scheduled within the month.”
Applications to participate in the Sixers Innovation Lab Crafted by Kimball will be accepted between
April 15 and September 30, 2016. For more information on the Sixers Innovation Lab Crafted by
Kimball or to apply, visit http://www.sixersinnovationlab.com/.
About Kimball Office
Kimball Office has been transforming workspaces for 45 years with an ever-widening breadth of
relevant, sustainable office furniture solutions. As one of America’s most respected
environmentally-conscious contract office furniture manufacturers, Kimball Office provides
architects, designers, facility managers, and employers with open plan system solutions, both
modern and classic desking, and a range of conference and seating options. The company is a
brand unit of Kimball International, Inc., (NASDAQ:KBAL), a publicly-traded company
headquartered in Jasper, Indiana, and a recipient of Forbes magazine’s “America’s Most
Trustworthy Companies” designation in 2013, 2014, and 2015. For additional information about
Kimball Office, visit www.kimballoffice.com.
About The Philadelphia 76ERs:
The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the most storied franchises in the National Basketball
Association, having won three World Championships, earning nine trips to The Finals and making
47 playoff appearances over 66 seasons. The team is owned by an investor group led by Managing
Owner Josh Harris.