Best Small Business Resources in the Kansas City Area

Description

Sprint Accelerator provides a 6-month mentorship program, as well as several other networking opportunities through their coworking events and one-on-one connections between corporate and startup. To participate in the 6-month mentorship network one has to apply for the current cohort. In addition, they also have 2 corporate accelerator programs. The one with Sprint focuses on the Internet of Things (Mobility Services, Artificial Intelligence, Automation), and the other with Dairy Farmers of America focuses on Agriculture Technology and food. The corporate accelerator requires application as well and lasts approximately 3 months.

Description

BetaBlox is a business incubator program that focuses on 10 entrepreneurs at a time to help accelerate startup growth and increase its valuation. In exchange, BetaBlox will take 5% of the equity of the company instead of upfront cash. Accepted entrepreneurs will have access to coworking spaces, mentors, program alumni, one-on-one consultation, classes, investor connections and so on. This program is highly competitive with a 10% acceptance rate.

Description

Cowork Waldo is a coworking space that offers 3 monthly membership plans and meeting room for rent by the hour. Membership includes printing/scanning/copying, plus priority access to meeting room reservation and a discounted rate for additional hours. Space is open to anyone who is seeking places to work.

Description

Housed under UMKC (the University of Missouri at Kansas City), Digital Sandbox is an initiative that connects large corporations to entrepreneurs and startups in Kansas City. They have a focus on information technology so it is best for startups that have a large digital/IT component. People can submit their ideas through their website and qualifiers will receive on average $20,000 in project funding. Note that this funding doesn’t directly go to the founders but goes to service providers such as market consultants, beta testing, prototyping, legal support, etc. Digital Sandbox partners will serve as mentors to guide your startup business until it is ready for commercialization.

Restrictions

Any technical development component of the business must be located within Kansas City. 

Description

SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) is a leading, nation-wide organization that has assisted millions of entrepreneurs over its 50+ years of operation. SCORE is a resource partner of the SBA that offers access to a network of experienced business leaders who donate time to mentor entrepreneurs and small business owners. They also host free or inexpensive workshops online and at 300 local chapters around the United States. Mentoring can be conducted either in person or remotely and is always free and confidential, no matter how often you take advantage of this service.

Description

KC source link is a website offered by the UMKC Innovation Center that strives to connect different types of startups and business owners to about 250 business resources partners in the community. Their built-in resource navigator tool allows entrepreneurs to find resources filtered by distance, location, the area of assistance, industry, business stage, specific needs, etc. In addition, their learning center offered detailed guides on how to start, to grow, and fund your business. Their calendar lists out entrepreneurial events within Kansas City. You can also call or email them to speak to their staff about specific needs or resources.

Description

The greatest strength of the SBDC is their free, confidential, 1-on-1 business mentoring for anyone who seeks it. Sometimes in order to be considered for mentoring from one of their professional business advisors, you may have to attend a class/workshop or at least present your business plan. SBDC's are located all throughout the state and you should use the SBDC closest to your location if possible, but you can often transfer to a different location if they do not fit your needs.