UMKC Innovation Center partners with the university and the community to spark and sustain entrepreneurial efforts within our region and across the country.

KCSourceLink connects KC entrepreneurs to the right resource at the right time.

MOSourceLink connects Missouri entrepreneurs to the right resource at the right time.

Whiteboard2Boardroom connects entrepreneurs and businesses to technologies available for licensing.

Digital Sandbox KC provides early-stage proof-of-concept support for digital products.

Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Center provides technical assistance to startup and existing businesses.

ScaleUP! Kansas City helps businesses with revenues around $200K scale toward their first $1 million.

Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers helps local businesses obtain government contracts.

KCInvestED helps investors learn more about investing in KC startups.

SourceLink® helps communities nationwide build vibrant and vital entrepreneurial ecosystems.
UMKC Innovation Center
UMKC Innovation Center
Kansas City tops ranking lists

Roundup: Why Kansas City Is One of America’s Most Entrepreneurial Cities

Kansas City tops ranking listsIn case you didn’t know, Kansas City is getting quite the reputation for being one of America’s most entrepreneurial cities. Obviously this didn’t happen overnight but rather took decades in the making. Now Kansas City is home to over 240 collaborative partnerships providing entrepreneurs the resources and ecosystem necessary to build a viable business.

Not sure how to access those resources? Head over to the Resource Navigator and give it a whirl. Don’t forget, you can always give us a call and tell us what you need at 816.235.6500. 

And if you missed why Kansas City is one of the best cities in America for entrepreneurs, here’s a roundup of articles and surveys singing our praises.

The best cities for women in tech
Kansas City ranks second on SmartAsset’s list of The Best Cities for Women in Tech in 2015. Cities were ranked based on the I.S. Census Bureau on pay and employment in computer occupations. Four factors were considered: women as percent of the tech workforce, gender pay gap in tech, income after housing cost and three year employment growth for women in tech.

KC region is ranked first for top digital cities
Shawnee, Kan. ranks first in its population category for the top digital cities conducted by the Center for Digital Government. The judging criteria was based on citizen engagement, policy, operations and technology and data. The winning cities have a government infrastructure that allows innovative experimentation on forward-thinking projects.

One of the best metros for women-owned businesses
Kansas City is the seventh best area for women to own a business, according to WalletHub. The statistical criteria analyzed included the area’s percentage of businesses owned by women, average revenue growth and the presence of women’s business centers.

One of the hottest startup cities
You read that right. Move over San Francisco and New York, Kansas City is coming through. Entrepreneur named Kansas City the fourth hottest thriving startup cities in the country. The judging criteria consisted of established infrastructure, skilled work forces, cost of living, unemployment rates and median household income.

One of America’s most future-ready cities
Kansas City is rated in the top twenty-five cities who have engaged and collaborative environments with an infrastructure built to support and innovate. Sponsored by Dell and hosted by Harvard University, the survey was developed at the 2015 Strategic Innovation Summit: Enabling Economies for the Future.

Get ready for 1Week KC

Put it on your calendar: 1Week KC is coming up Friday, May 20th – Friday, May 27th. 1Week KC is a celebration connecting entrepreneurs throughout Kansas City highlighting key events each day of the week. Some of the unique events include a Startup Crawl showcasing over 100 startups, networking and cheering on the Royals at E Day at the K and all you can eat Startup Waffles. Register today to get connected.


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