Helping founders find community and connections
Statewide initiative supporting early-stage innovators with proof-of-concept funding (up to $25,000), mentorship, and commercialization tools to move ideas from concept to market-ready startups.
Accelerator
in
Topeka
Kansas Department of Commerce
Web-based bid-matching service that searches 3,000+ federal, state, and local procurement websites daily to find open bidding opportunities and contract awards matching a business's products and services, helping Kansas businesses identify and win government contracts.
Service
in
Overland Park
Kansas APEX Accelerator – State Network
Downtown Hays co-working space and business incubator providing creative office environments, private offices, meeting rooms, and training spaces for professionals and entrepreneurs, with access to Grow Hays' professional services and local business network.
Incubator
in
Hays
Grow Hays MicroFactory
One-on-one business consulting provided by Emporia Main Street's team for existing and aspiring businesses in Emporia, covering market research, business strategy, financing options, and local economic development resources.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Emporia
Emporia Main Street – Business Incubator
Downtown Emporia business incubator providing affordable space, access to low-interest loans (Trusler Loan Fund, IWW, NetWork Kansas), business consulting, and a peer entrepreneurial community to help startups launch and grow.
Incubator
in
Emporia
Emporia Main Street – Business Incubator
Consulting and mentorship program identifying opportunities and addressing challenges for businesses across 26 counties in Northwest Kansas, including gap funding and business planning support.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Norton
Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center
One of only three Capital Access Centers in the U.S., permanently housed at JCCC's SBDC, providing free expert loan guidance by bankers working for the client. Has helped 51+ companies access $39M+ in capital infusion through financial trainings and direct lender connections.
Service
in
Topeka
Kansas SBDC
Wichita's largest nonprofit shared-use commercial kitchen, offering licensed commercial kitchen space, 24/7 access, cold and dry storage, and business support including help with licensing, insurance, and inspections for food entrepreneurs.
Incubator
in
Wichita
Empower North End
Intensive 5-week cohort-based bootcamp for tech entrepreneurs in Emporia, developed in partnership with the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI), covering customer discovery, lean startup principles, and building a repeatable, scalable tech business model.
Accelerator
in
Emporia
Emporia Main Street – Business Incubator
2-year development program for next-generation family business members, featuring 8 quarterly half-day training sessions on MBTI, leadership, governance, and ownership management, plus individual coaching throughout.
Training/Course
in
Wichita
Wichita State University – Center for Entrepreneurship
Free, confidential one-on-one business mentoring from SCORE Greater Wichita's 35+ volunteer mentors who are experienced business owners and executives. Available in-person, by phone, email, or video conference for startups and existing businesses at all stages.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Wichita
SCORE – Wichita
Advanced growth advisory program for established businesses with over $250,000 in sales or 3+ years in operation, providing in-depth financial analysis, benchmarking against industry norms, and strategic planning to help second-stage companies scale.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Topeka
Kansas SBDC
Free one-on-one counseling and group training to help Kansas businesses assess and pursue government contracting opportunities at federal, state, and local levels, including marketing strategy development, solicitation reading, and registration assistance.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Overland Park
Kansas APEX Accelerator – State Network
Free, one-on-one government contracting counseling and training seminars for businesses in south-central Kansas, helping them navigate federal, state, and local procurement processes, develop marketing strategies targeting government buyers, and prepare winning bids.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Wichita
Kansas APEX Accelerator – Wichita Subcenter
30,000 sq ft manufacturing incubator near I-70 in Hays, Kansas designed for small and startup manufacturers. Offers below-market flexible lease space with high ceilings, 24/7 secure access, internet, and amenities, plus exclusive grant funding for tenant services.
Incubator
in
Hays
Grow Hays MicroFactory
8-week in-person certificate program co-developed by WSU's Center for Entrepreneurship and NetWork Kansas to help rural business owners spark momentum, adapt to changing markets, and build sustainable growth using modern strategies.
Training/Course
in
Wichita
Wichita State University – Center for Entrepreneurship
8-week entrepreneurial mindset certificate program offered in Great Bend, exploring 8 key principles of entrepreneurship through discussions, videos, and insights from local entrepreneurs.
Training/Course
in
Great Bend
Great Bend Economic Development – Innovation Center
Free 8-week pre-seed accelerator for community innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs, focusing on ideation-stage companies. Participants learn startup fundamentals, customer discovery, MVP development, and pitch skills in a cohort setting.
Accelerator
in
Wichita
Wichita State University – Center for Entrepreneurship
Free monthly pitch and mentoring event where Lawrence entrepreneurs present their startup to a live audience and receive 20 minutes of Q&A feedback. Attendees learn from other founders' pitches and build connections within the startup ecosystem.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Lawrence
Launch Lawrence
One-on-one mentorship program connecting early-stage companies with a select group of Wichita's most successful entrepreneurs, helping founders get their venture off the ground through personalized guidance and expert connections.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Wichita
Wichita State University – Center for Entrepreneurship
Personalized pre-seed accelerator for Lawrence-area technology entrepreneurs, providing specific guidance, connections, and hands-on support to build products and refine go-to-market strategies with a team of experienced local entrepreneurs.
Accelerator
in
Lawrence
Launch Lawrence
Free, confidential business advising for entrepreneurs and small businesses in southeast Kansas from the Pittsburg State University SBDC, covering business planning, market analysis, financing, and operations for startups and growing businesses.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Pittsburg
Kansas SBDC @ Pittsburg State University Region
Free, confidential business advising from the WSU-based SBDC regional center serving the greater Wichita area, covering business plans, marketing, financing, HR, social media, and government contracting for both startups and growing businesses.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Wichita
Kansas SBDC @ Wichita State University Region
Free, confidential business advising for entrepreneurs in northwest Kansas through the NWKEICI regional SBDC, covering business planning, financing, marketing, and technical assistance for the 26-county northwest Kansas service area.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Norton
Kansas SBDC @ Northwest Kansas Innovation Center Region
Free, confidential business consulting from the Washburn SBDC in Topeka, providing personalized guidance on business planning, financing, marketing, operations, and strategic planning for small businesses in the Topeka and north-central Kansas region.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Topeka
Kansas SBDC @ Washburn University Region
Free, confidential business advising for entrepreneurs and small businesses in the FHSU service area (central and western Kansas), covering business plan development, market research, capital access, marketing, and strategic planning.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Hays
Kansas SBDC @ Fort Hays State University Region
Free, confidential business advising for startups and existing businesses at the KU-SBDC, covering business plan development, financing, marketing, and operations for entrepreneurs in the Lawrence and surrounding northeast Kansas region.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Lawrence
Kansas SBDC @ University of Kansas Region
Free, confidential one-on-one business advising from professional SBDC advisors covering business planning, marketing, financing, HR, exit strategies, social media, strategic planning, and government contracting for startups and growing businesses.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Topeka
Kansas SBDC
Free, confidential business advising from professional consultants at the JCCC regional center, covering business plans, marketing, financing, HR, social media, government contracting, and more for startups and existing businesses in the Johnson County area.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Overland Park
Kansas SBDC @ Johnson County Community College Region
Annual multi-round pitch competition open to college students across Kansas, awarding up to $25,000 to help launch new ventures. Teams progress through business model video, trade show, and finals rounds with feedback from industry judges.
Service
in
Wichita
Wichita State University – Center for Entrepreneurship
Community-driven pitch competition held at the Emporia Granada Theatre where entrepreneurs present their business ideas and audience members vote with ticket purchases that serve as funding dollars, along with additional cash grants from sponsors.
Service
in
Emporia
Emporia Main Street – Business Incubator
Free weekly open discussion series in Lawrence for entrepreneurs at any stage to get informal feedback on business ideas, work through pitch decks, ask questions, and connect with the local startup community and experienced entrepreneurs.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Lawrence
Launch Lawrence
Business development support for entrepreneurs in Wichita's North End and Latino community, including workshops on licenses and legal requirements, business structure, and overall entrepreneurship education in a bilingual and culturally welcoming environment.
Training/Course
in
Wichita
Empower North End
Free, cohort-based entrepreneurship program open to all aspiring and current entrepreneurs at any stage, covering business differentiation, consumer demand, launch strategies, and growth, with access to mentors, resources, and a Venture Advancement Program for graduates.
Accelerator
in
Wichita
Wichita State University – Center for Entrepreneurship
LEED Platinum-certified green business incubator in Greensburg, Kansas, offering affordable below-market office and retail space for startups and established businesses. Built after the 2007 tornado with $1M from SunChips and USDA support as part of the city's sustainable rebuild.
Incubator
in
Greensburg
Greensburg Business Incubator
Collaborative platform for Kansas family-owned businesses to share experiences, address generational and governance challenges, and access programming on leadership, succession, and ownership through the Kansas Family Business Forum.
Training/Course
in
Wichita
Wichita State University – Center for Entrepreneurship
Low- and no-cost business workshops and training events for entrepreneurs in southeast Kansas, covering essential business topics like planning, marketing, financing, and operations to support startups and growing businesses.
Training/Course
in
Pittsburg
Kansas SBDC @ Pittsburg State University Region
Low- and no-cost business education seminars and workshops hosted by the Washburn SBDC for entrepreneurs and business owners in the Topeka area, covering topics like business planning, marketing, financial management, and legal considerations.
Training/Course
in
Topeka
Kansas SBDC @ Washburn University Region
Low- and no-cost business training classes and workshops at the JCCC campus covering topics from starting a business and marketing to exporting, government contracting, and financial management for entrepreneurs throughout the KC metro region.
Training/Course
in
Overland Park
Kansas SBDC @ Johnson County Community College Region
Low- and no-cost business training workshops and seminars in the Wichita area, covering business fundamentals, marketing, finance, HR, and government contracting for entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout south-central Kansas.
Training/Course
in
Wichita
Kansas SBDC @ Wichita State University Region
Free and low-cost educational workshops and seminars covering topics like marketing, HR, e-commerce, financial planning, and business operations, offered in-person and online to help small business owners start, grow, and maintain their businesses.
Training/Course
in
Wichita
SCORE – Wichita
In-person and online business training workshops and webinars hosted by FHSU SBDC covering topics like cybersecurity, marketing, financial planning, and business management for entrepreneurs across central and western Kansas.
Training/Course
in
Hays
Kansas SBDC @ Fort Hays State University Region