Want to Start a Business in Kansas City’s Urban Core? Apply Now for a UBGI Scholarship

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Small-business owners and entrepreneurs are the heartbeat of Kansas City’s

Urban Business Growth Initiative (UBGI) doles out scholarships for high-impact business training at the UMKC Small Business Technology and Development Center (SBTDC) to entrepreneurs interested in creating business in Kansas City’s urban core.

When Johanna Miller started the Ice House Entrepreneurship program (thanks to an UBGI scholarship), she thought she wanted to open a brick and mortar yarn business.

She learned that wasn’t a great risk for her and now focuses her time and talents on her ecommerce business, Potions Yarns. Selling hand-dyed yarns online proved a profitable business in just seven months.

“I never thought I could start a company from the ground up, and I have,” she says. “Knowing that I can accomplish anything if I set my mind to it, and I really want to do it, has been super empowering for me.”  

>>>>>Read Johanna’s entire story.

Want to get in on the action? Follow this link and apply for a UBGI scholarship for winter classes while they last. Seriously, don’t wait.

How a new entrepreneur can help all of Kansas City

The UBGI program creates economic impact and empowerment in Kansas City’s urban core. In fiscal year 2017, it helped business owners in Kansas City, Missouri, reach more than $2.8 million in new sales and create 79 new jobs through courses and counseling provided by the UMKC SBTDC.

You can read the full 2017 impact report, here. Here’s the gist—these scholarships help Kansas Citians make a real positive impact in their communities.

If Shark Tank doesn’t work out, apply for a UBGI scholarship

Reggie Gray runs Healthy Hip Hop Enterprise, which makes educational, entertaining and engaging content for students. He applied for an UBGI scholarship to take FastTrac® TechVenture™ after getting a deal from Mr. Wonderful on Shark Tank, only to have his episode canned due to conflicts with corporate.

“We realized that if Shark Tank wasn’t going to build our audience, we needed to do it ourselves. To do that, we had to go digital. The day we started FastTrac was the day we became tech entrepreneurs.” It was also the day H3 Enterprise became deeply connected (and successful) in Kansas City’s entrepreneurial community.

>>>>>Read Roy’s entire story.

Upcoming classes with available UBGI scholarships

This winter, UBGI will help more KCMO small business owners, contractors and construction business owners develop their entrepreneurial mindset, plan and solidify their businesses’ financials and prepare for strategic growth with scholarships to selected programs. Click on the class title to apply. Scholarships go fast, don’t wait to apply:

FastTrac® NewVenture™

April 17 – May 15 (each Tuesday)
Do you have an idea for a business and need help making a plan and charting your next steps? Start here.
$75 after UBGI scholarship

Reading and Understanding Financial Statements 

May 31
Financial statements may be complicated, but they’re also the core of any successful business. Experts will guide you through every tricky bit.
Free after UBGI scholarship

Social Media Road Map for Small Business

May 24
You will develop an actionable social media plan that protects your business and shows you how to track your return on investment.
Free after UBGI scholarship

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.