Low- and No-Cost Classes to Help You Start, Grow Your Business in KC’s Urban Core

Whether you’re thinking about starting a business in Kansas City, Missouri, or have one you’re ready to rev up, the Urban Business Growth Initiative is ready to help with a suite of high-impact classes for high-impact entrepreneurs. And now, we’ve got some microgrants up for grabs … but more on that later.

So, what kind of impact are we talkin’ about? 

In the past six years, UBGI has helped start 75 businesses, created 455 jobs and led to a $55 million increase in sales. Not to mention the more than 500 hefty scholarships (we’re talking at least an 80% discounts worth hundreds of dollars) that have helped KC entrepreneurs (like YOU) reach the next level; that means more money in your pocket for a course that could start your new career that YOU build from the ground up.

See the numbers yourself in the 2019 UBGI annual report.

The bottom line: The program will equip you with the mindset, knowledge and skills to turn that passion into a real full-time gig.

And soon, the deal will be even sweeter.

(Warning: Spoilers.) UBGI alums as of April 2020, in addition to receiving those major scholarships worth hundreds of dollars, will be eligible for funds from the City of Kansas City, Missouri, to help them start or grow their business or nonprofit … we’re talking thousands of dollars in microgrants. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow KCSourceLink on Facebook and Twitter, and we’ll send out the details in January 2020. In order to qualify, just sign up for one of the upcoming courses listed below NEW VENTURE, Entrepreneurial Mindset Training, CONSTRUCTION VENTURE, GROWTH VENTURE and TECH VENTURE.

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Money aside, just think about this opportunity: actual time to work ON your business and not just IN it with coaches, peer business owners, seasoned entrepreneurs, who can help you think through your plan and map out your steps toward success. And you can do that with people—expert business coaches and peer business owners who are in the trenches with you—who all understand your challenges (because they’ve been there) and can help you clear those hurdles to help you vet your business idea and prime your venture for the next step.

To be eligible for the scholarships and for the contest, you must live or work in Kansas City, Missouri.

These in-person courses will expand your business knowledge and help you make all the right moves as you learn right along with other aspiring and ambitious entrepreneurs in Kansas City, Missouri. (So you can expand your network and make those vital, lasting connections you just can’t with online-only courses.)

So what’s stopping you from signing up for a class? Or applying for a scholarship? These classes will start before you know it. 

Save Hundreds of Dollars and Learn How to Launch Your Business

If you reside or operate your business in Kansas City, Missouri, you’re eligible to save hundreds of dollars on these classes when you apply for an Urban Business Growth Initiative scholarship.

(See a list of UBGI-qualifying courses at the bottom of the post.)

And not only will you save on the class, you’ll also save on the time, money, sweat, tears and frustration you would’ve spent trying to figure how to start and scale a business on your own … because #teamwork.

Ready? Apply now.

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:

ELEVATIONLAB™ NEW VENTURE

Jan. 21 – Feb. 18 on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

If you want to own your own business, this program will help you see if you idea will work and help you make the tweaks to ensure you’ll have a successful business. You’ll hear guest speakers and entrepreneurs who understand what it’s like to start and run a business, and you’ll get access to coaching that’ll help inspire you and solidify your idea. Plus, this course is geared toward those who want an accelerated program in just five sessions.

Cost: $649

Eligible for microgrant contest: YES

$75 after UBGI scholarship

Entrepreneurial Mindset Training

Jan. 29 – March 25 on Wednesdays from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Have a business idea but don’t know where to start? Do you want to learn how to be an entrepreneur? Get that vital foundation (and some inspiration) during this course.

Cost: $649

Eligible for microgrant contest: YES

$75 after UBGI scholarship

ELEVATIONLAB™ CONSTRUCTION VENTURE for Home Rehabbers and Small Contractors

Feb. 3 – April 6 on Mondays from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Do you have a construction business you’re eager to grow? Work on your business strategy with the help of experts who understand the industry and can guide you how to apply what you learn to your real-world operation. Plus, after the 10-session course is up, you’ll still have access to those coaches so you can keep your business moving forward.

Cost: $649

Eligible for microgrant contest: YES

$75 after UBGI scholarship

ELEVATIONLAB™ GROWTH VENTURE

Feb. 7 – April 17 on Fridays from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Get a 360-degree perspective to help you avoid those blind spots in your business and make smarter decisions. Using the GrowthWheel® Framework, you’ll take home tools, decision sheets and 30-, 60- and 90-day plans to help your business grow.

Cost: $649

Eligible for microgrant contest: YES

$75 after UBGI scholarship

ELEVATIONLAB™ TECH VENTURE

Feb. 20 – April 16 on Thursdays from 3 – 6 p.m.

If you’re in a tech or science-based field, this course (designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs) will give you a proven framework and connections to help grow your great idea into the next viable innovation.

Cost: $649

Eligible for microgrant contest: YES

$75 after UBGI scholarship

And again, spoilers: All alums of these above courses (NEW VENTURE, Entrepreneurial Mindset Training, CONSTRUCTION VENTURE, GROWTH VENTURE and TECH VENTURE) are eligible to win thousands of dollars (at least $5,000 for the top prize). Subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the loop.

Social Media Road Map for Business

Feb. 25 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Want to learn how to craft a social media strategy for your company? This is the course. Get examples and ideas, understand what really matters for your biz, find out what to do about ugly comments and bad news and learn a whole lot more. You’ll leave with a clear action plan you can use.

Cost: $199

Not eligible for microgrant contest

$0 after UBGI scholarship

Reading and Understanding Financial Statements: It’s All about the Benjamins!

March 3 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

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

Cost: $149

Not eligible for microgrant contest

$0 after UBGI scholarship

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

Glad you asked. KCSourceLink is 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 your very own personal action plan to help connect with resources and opportunities so you can hit that next milestone.