New Classes and Events in Kansas City’s Startup Community in 2018

Happy New Year! What are your business goals for 2018? Whether you’re hoping to get a new business started, or raise money to kick your existing one into high gear, our Resource Partners are here to support and encourage you in every step of your entrepreneurial journey.

To give you a taste of the kind of support they offer, we’ve pulled together a list of programs that are new to the network in 2018. Remember, our Network Navigators can create a Personalized Action Plan for you at any time. All you have to do is submit some and we will be in touch with your step-by-step guide ASAP.  

Get ready for investors with the Enterprise Center in Johnson County (ECJC)

Do you run a blooming startup that may seek investment in the next three to six months? Then you need to apply for ECJC’s newest program, Investment Bootcamp.

Participants in the program will have the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with local investors and venture capitalists to prepare for the pitch, questions and due diligence process. Bootcamp starts this month, apply now.

Expand your network with the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

This new series of networking opportunities is designed to move throughout the region and showcase exciting Chamber members neighborhood by neighborhood. The first event is Friday, January, 12, at Donutology in West Plaza. There are seven more 2018 dates on the schedule so far.

These new events are open to all KC Chamber members and are purposefully designed to be smaller. The goal is to make personal connections for everyone that attends. RSVP soon as they will fill up quickly

Connect with other small businesses with the Shawnee Chamber

As a small business owner, you can’t know everything or be everywhere. That’s why the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce created the small business exchange event series. 

The first session is January 16, and will explore how the new tax code will effect your business. That’s priceless information from area experts that will help your new year start smoothly. Head to the event to learn and network with other small business owners ready to share best practices on profitability and productivity. 

Become a true foodpreneur with the Ennovation Center

There’s a learning curve to starting any business. Food-based businesses are no less subject to startup challenges. Regulatory, market entry, distribution, process production and managing perishable inventory are some of the unique challenges facing new food entrepreneurs.

The Ennovation Kitchen Classroom is a 12-week course designed to help food businesses launch faster into the marketplace, with fewer costly startup mistakes. You can read more about the class here, and apply here.

Celebrate Kansas City’s black entrepreneurs with 1 Million Cups

For more than five years, 1 Million Cups has featured Kansas City (#1MCKC) entrepreneurs on the Kauffman Foundation stage every Wednesday at 9 a.m.

In February 2018, the #1MCKC community is excited to celebrate Black History Month by featuring black entrepreneurs from around KC all month-long. The final Wednesday of the month will include an extra special black-owned small business fair.

Mark your calendar now—every Wednesday in February, 9 a.m. at the Kauffman Foundation. There are still open spots to present too, but not for long, so apply now.  

Up your social media game with SCORE

It’s estimated that 81 percent of Americans are on social media. Which means if your business isn’t, then you are missing a huge opportunity to impress and attract customers on ever-growing platforms.

But social media is ever-changing. SCORE is here to help with brand new social media workshops in March. First up on the sixth, “Unpaid Sources of Social Media Marketing.”  

You will walk away with new knowledge and tips, including best practices for LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

P.S. This next mention isn’t new, per se. But it’s a can’t-miss opportunity that we wanted to make sure you had on your radar.

Grow your business in KC’s urban core with UMKC SBTDC

This winter, the Urban Business Growth Initiative program will help more KC small business owners, contractors and construction business owners develop their entrepreneurial mindset, plan and solidify their businesses’ financials and prepare for strategic growth. Scholarships worth hundreds of dollars are available for the following classes at the UMKC Small Business Technology and Development Center (click the title to apply):

Construction Business Management
January 9 – February 27 (each Tuesday)

FastTrac® NewVenture™
January 23 – February 20 (each Tuesday)

FastTrac® TechVenture™
February 21 – April 18 (each Wednesday)

Reading and Understanding Financial Statements
March 6

This is close to what I need, but not quite. What else do you have for budding entrepreneurs?

Glad you asked. As the go-to for KC entrepreneurship, we can plug you into the right course, mentor, organization or group for your small business, startup, passion project, side hustle or idea in the making.

Just give us a call at 816-235-6500 or fill out your request over here at www.kcsourcelink.com/myplan. We’ll develop a Personalized Action Plan to help connect with resources and opportunities, so you can hit that next milestone.