OUR ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM - AVAILABLE RESOURCES WITHIN THE REGION
Startup School provides students the opportunity to explore their new business idea through access to world-class K-State faculty and alumni. Through this class, students will learn a variety of practical tools and resources and apply them to their venture concept with the goal of operating their business over the summer (or longer). Startup School takes place during the second eight weeks of the Spring 2020 semester. Check out the K-State website for more details.
$75,000 in Prizes to Student Entrepreneurs!
The Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge (KEC) is sponsored by the Kansas Masonic Foundation and Kansas Masons in partnership with Kansas State University and the Network Kansas - Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) Series to promote entrepreneurship and small business development in Kansas. The competition is for student created, managed, and owned ventures. Registration portal will be live March 2, 2020, and the competition will be held April 28, 2020. Check out Kansas State University's Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship website for more details.
Spring 2020 K-State Launch Event - April 7, 2020
Launch is an entrepreneurial idea competition for K-State students with new venture ideas. The competition is open to all K-State undergraduates and graduate students or team from all majors. Submission deadline for entries is March 22, 2020, and the "Day of the Launch" competition is April 7, 2020. Check out the website for more details.
One Million Cups - MHK - Open to the Region
As a program of the Kaufman Foundation, 1 Million Cups works with entrepreneurs, empowering them with the tools and resources to break down barriers that stand in the way of starting and growing their business. Mr. Kaufman believed it was a fundamental right for anyone who had a big idea to be able to bring it to life. 1 Million Cups is a free program designed to educate, engage and inspire entrepreneurs. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month in Manhattan, and is open to the region. Check out the website for more details and attend the next event to network and hear all about two companies.
RECENT & UPCOMING EVENTS
KANSAS DECA - March 1-3, 2020 - DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high school and colleges around the globe. It enhances co-curricular education of members through a comprehensive learning program that integrates into classroom instruction, applies learning, connects to business and promotes competition through industry-validated competitive events aligned with the National Curriculum Standards in specific career clusters.
National Veterans Small Business Week -November 8th
This is a fee event for veterans and their spouses who own small businesses or are thinking about starting a business. Topics to be covered include Access to Capital, Government Contracting, Business Support Resources, and Veteran Small Business Stories. Industries addressed will include construction, technology/IT, agriculture and general products and services. Join veteran entrepreneurs and presenters from the U.S. SBA, Kansas SBDC, Kansas PTAC, K-State TDI, USDA, Kansas FSA, and the VBRC. Box lunches included.
Register in advance at: http://ksbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/24995
K-State's Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship Speaker Series - November 5th
Rural Revitalization - Rural Entrepreneurship - Feb 26th
Peoples State Bank - Startup MHK Competition - 2019 Winners
Great Paper Straws - Non-Technical Category - $8,000
Kestrel Drone - Technical Category - $8,000
ieDiscoveries - Peoples Choice Award - $4,000
ENHANCING THE REGION'S ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM
In addition to initiatives for existing business development and business attraction, the cultivation, expansion, and effective leveraging of regional entrepreneurial ecosystem will be a critical driver of regional economic diversification. The region's entrepreneurial sector is underdeveloped but expanding as cultivation of opportunities are emerging from efforts through programs such as One Million Cups, Kansas State University's Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship, the expansion of co-working spaces, and other research and economic development efforts.
STRATEGIES
3.1. Grow & Diversify the Innovation Ecosystem
3.2. Enhance Support for Entrepreneurs of All Ages
LEAD ROLES
Entrepreneurial Dynamism is being supported by One Million Cups, chambers, USDs, colleges, universities, businesses and organizations throughout the region.
3.1. GROW AND DIVERSIFY THE INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM.
The Region Reimagined Strategic Plan supports the implementation of the North Campus Corridor Master Plan.
3.2. ENHANCE SUPPORT FOR ENTREPRENEURS OF ALL AGES.
- External Awareness
- Business Retention & Expansion
- Growth of Supportive Infrastructure
- Enhance Capacity of Pre-K to 20 Educational Institutions
- Retention of Graduates to Region
- Integrate Soldiers into Community
- Improve Health Outcomes & Develop Medical Education Capacity
- Improve Attraction of Talent to Region
- Suitable Housing
- Quality of Place
- Grow and Diversify the Innovation Ecosystem
- Enhance Support for Entrepreneurs of All Ages