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
BuyKC_Web_Navy

Welcome to #BuyKC

a B2C and B2B directory of local, independently owned businesses in the KC area.

 

The goal of the #BuyKC directory is to help any Kansas City business (restaurants and retailers; businesses who sell online or via ecommerce; businesses that sell products or services; B2B and B2C) promote their local businesses—all to help consumers and businesses spend their dollars with locally owned businesses. And you can get listed for free!



Why do we do this?

Because when you support local businesses, you strengthen our local economy. And we want to make your business easier to find and even more visible. 

When does #BuyKC go live?
We'll do a soft launch the week of Nov. 8.

What information will be listed in the directory?
Each businesses accepted into the directory will have a card listing your business name, whether you sell online or in-store (or both), a link to your website or online shopping URL and the photo of your business's goods/services that you provided.

We'll use the other information to help set up our search filters. What's NOT public: Your phone number and email are for internal-use ONLY. (We need this to ask you follow up questions, but it will not be listed publicly.)

So let’s get your business in the directory!
Some things to keep in mind as you complete your application:

  • All BuyKC listings are free. 
  • All businesses are welcome in the BuyKC directory as long as they are local, independently owned businesses in the Kansas City (bistate!) area (no franchises please).
  • If you provide an address, it will be mapped in our store locator. (So don’t include your home address.)
  • We highly recommend adding a photo of your products/services, where and as requested. Those BuyKC directory results that include a photo will be prioritized in our randomized listing.
  • If you need additional support or resources for your business, we can help there, too! Just give us a call at 816-235-6500 or let us know what you need at kcsourcelink.com/myplan. We’re here to make sure you have the right resources for your business — and our services are free.
Please note: 

You'll need to have your logo and photo of your products or services ready to upload before you can submit your application. Only click "submit" when you application is complete.

 

Tell Us About Your Local Business

 

If you do not have a physical store location, please put “online” in the address box.

This could be your Facebook page, Instagram account, Google listing, Etsy store, etc.

Your quick description will be displayed in the directory listing.

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RadEditor's bottom area: Design, Html and Preview modes, Statistics module and resize handle.
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RadEditor's Modules - special tools used to provide extra information such as Tag Inspector, Real Time HTML Viewer, Tag Properties and other.
   

Your full description will be displayed on your profile page.

Logo restrictions: should be at least 300px wide, no more than 1MB in size and in jpg, gif or png format.

Photo restrictions: should be at least 500px wide, no more than 3MB in size and in jpg, gif or png format.

Overview

Some organizations Support all types of entrepreneurs and business owners, others Specialize in serving only specific sub-groups. In each category below, please check the types of clients which you provide direct technical services for. Please mark all that apply, see below for an example.

Example
Support Specialize  
Your organization provides this option
Your organization specializes in providing this option
Your organization does not provide this option
Select the stages of business your organization serves.
SupportSpecialize 
Inception / IdeaThinking about starting a business
Proof of Concept / Prototype / Market IntroIn the mix of starting a business
RolloutGone through all of the start-up aspects
Growth / ExpansionAnnual revenues are over $1 million
For publication purposes (example), what is your primary stage of business served?
Does your organization SPECIALIZE in serving underserved businesses:
Specialize 
African American
Asian
Hispanic
Immigrant
LGBTQ
Native American
Other
Veteran
Woman
Select the types of business your organization serves.
SupportSpecialize 
Innovation-ledTech or high growth
Main StreetBrick-and-mortar
MicroenterpriseSmall or online businesses
Second StageEstablished businesses poised for growth
Are we missing any values for Business Type? Let us know your suggestion(s).
For publication purposes (example), what is your primary type of business served?
Select the industries your organization serves.
SupportSpecialize 
AgricultureAgriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting
ArtsIndependent artists, writers, performers, arts and sports events
Bioscience Services & ManufacturingPharmaceuticals, medical supply, chemical and oil manufacturing, scientific and technology services, computer repair
ConstructionConstruction
EducationHigher education, elementary, private schools, tutoring
Energy & UtilitiesEnergry, utilities
Finance & InsuranceFinance, financial planning, banks, insurance
Health & ChildcareHospitals, clinics, senior and child care
High Tech Services & ManufacturingManufacturing of service industry machinery, computers, communications and AV equipment, semiconductors, control instruments, optical and aerospace products; architecture, engineering and computer design services
Information TechnologySoftware, telecommunications, IP and Web, securities
ManagementManagement of companies and enterprises
ManufacturingManufacturing (not including bioscience and high tech manufacturing)
MiningMining
Not for profitNonprofit, charitable organizations
Other ServicesAdministrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (janitorial, landscaping, office administration, telemarketing, security, travel agency, collections, repossessions)
Personal ServicesRepairs, personal services, hair and nail salons, pet care, dry cleaning, personal event planning
Professional ServicesProfessional Services (not scientific or technical) Lawyers, accountants, communications, marketing, design, photography, human resources, veterinary
Real EstateReal estate sales, rentals and leasing
Restaurant & HotelRestaurants, hotels, inns, accommodations, food services
RetailRetail trade, Internet sales
TourismTourism and recreation
Transportation & WarehousingTransportation, trucking, warehousing
WholesaleWholesale trade, distributors
What does your business sell?
SupportSpecialize 
Products
Services
Who are your primary customers?
SupportSpecialize 
Me/Individual people
Business/Commercial needs
How can your customers buy your products/services?
SupportSpecialize 
In a store
Online
How do you classify your products/services?
SupportSpecialize 
Apparel & Accessories
Health & Self-Care
Food & Drink
Home, Office & Auto
Everyday Finds
Gifts, Specialty & Entertainment
Arts & Creative
Financial & Legal Services
Marketing & Sales
Construction
Electronics & IT
Manufacturing
Is your business at least 51% owned by someone who identifies as:
SupportSpecialize 
Asian
Black
Hispanic
Immigrant
LGBTQ
Native American
Veteran
Woman
Youth

Services You Offer

This section will match prospective clients with the services you offer. The services indicated will determine what assistance clients are contacting your organization for assistance with. Please use the list below and indicate ONLY those services that you directly provide, as opposed to services for which you would know where to refer the client. This will save entrepreneurs time and your organizations frustration. Please indicate a specialty area if one applies.

Business Planning

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Business Plan Consulting, Development and Review
Demographic/Census Data
Feasibility Studies
Forming a Business
Identification/Research of Foreign Markets
Market Plan Development
Market Research

Buying or Selling a Business

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Buying or Selling a Franchise
Purchasing an Existing Business
Valuation

Economic and Site Development

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Economic Forecast
Environmental Compliance
Lease Review
Revitalization
Site Location Assistance
Tax Credits
Watershed Planning

Financial Resources and Assistance

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Angel Investment Providers
Bookkeeping/Accounting Software Training
Budget, Financial Statement and Cash Flow Training
Financial Assistance for International Trade Shows
Insurance Requirements
Loan Providers
Obtaining Debt Funding
Obtaining Equity Funding
Obtaining Government Funding
Real Estate Finance
Tax Credits
Technology Grants
Venture Capital Equity Providers

Human Resources

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Employee Development, Hiring and Policies
Retention
Workforce Incentives

Import and Export Assistance

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Financial Assistance for Exporting Activities
Identification/Research of Foreign Markets
Import/Export Certification and Licensing
Locating Foreign Distributors
Networking/Exploring Exporting
Trade Education and Training

Internship Programs and Student Services

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Internship Program
Student Marketing Projects
Student Research Projects
Youth Entrepreneurship Education

Legal Services

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Contract Review
Environmental Compliance
Forming a Business
Lease Review
Patent Seminars
Patent, Trademark & Copyright Information

Libraries and Research Organizations

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Business Research Resources
Demographic/Census Data

Management Issues

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Human Resources
Insurance Requirements
Leadership/Professional Development
Recruiting Assistance

Manufacturing, High Tech, Life Sciences Development

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Commercialization
Hazardous Waste Generation Avoidance Training
Health and Safety Training
High Tech Development
Industrial Technology Research
Life Sciences Development
Manufacturing Development
Pollution Prevention
Quality Improvement (Supply Chain, Six Sigma)
Science/Bioscience Seminars
Technology Transfer
Wet Lab Incubator

Marketing/Sales

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Advertising/Brochure Design
Award Recognition
Call Center Services
Competitive Analysis
Demographics/Census Data
E-Commerce/Internet Marketing
Feasibility Studies
Identification/Research of Foreign Markets
Market Plan Development and Training
Market Research
Student Marketing Projects
Website Development

Mentoring

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Formal Mentoring Programs
One-on-One Counseling
Peer Mentoring

Networking Organizations

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Demographically Based
Geographically Based
Home Based
Industry Specific
International Trade
Small Business/General

Nonprofit Development

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Accounting
Board Development
Funds Development
Human Resources
Organizational Audits
Strategic Planning
Technical Services

Office, Incubator, Accelerator, Laboratory, Kitchen and Meeting Space

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Accelerator
Commercial Kitchen Facilities
Conference/Meeting and Event Space
Coworking space
Incubator Space
Lease Review
Maker Space
Office Equipment and Furniture
Office Space
Retail Space
Site Location
Wet Lab Incubator

Operations and Logistics

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Freight and Distribution
Hazardous Waste Generation Avoidance Training
Health and Safety Training
Locating Freight Forwarders/Customs Brokers
Pollution Prevention
Quality Improvement (Supply Chain, Six Sigma)

Product Development

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Patent Information
Product Assembly and Packaging
Product Design and Development
Prototype Development

Public Policy and Government Relations

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
African-American Business
Business Issues Related to a Specific City
Hispanic Business
Kansas Business Issues
LGBT Business Issues
Missouri Business Issues
Native-American Business
Small Business Policy
Women's Business Issues

Regulatory Compliance

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Bonding
Codes
Environmental Compliance
Government Requirements
Insurance Requirements
International Regulatory Compliance
Patent Information
Registration, Licenses and Permits
Trademark and Copyright Information

Selling to the Government and Large Corporations

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Bid Matching and Preparation
Government and Military Specifications
HUBZone Certification
Obtaining Certification
Obtaining Corporate Contracts
Obtaining Government Contracts
Price History
Registration Assistance
Selling to Foreign Governments and Businesses
Subcontracting Opportunities

Starting a Business

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Business Research Resources
Feasibility Studies
Forming a Business
Home-Based Business Training
Registration, Licenses and Permits
Site Location
Startup Business Counseling
Startup Classes

Tax Services

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
State and Federal Tax Training
State Tax Credit Information
Tax Credits
Tax Preparation Assistance
Tax Registration

Technical Assistance

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Bookkeeping/Accounting Software Training
Commercialization
Industrial Technology Research
Pollution Prevention
Technology Transfer
Website Development

Training

Provide ServiceSpecialize in ServiceService
Bookkeeping/Accounting Software Training
Budget, Cash Flow and Financial Statements Training
Business Management Training
Business Plan Training and Assistance
E-Commerce/Internet Marketing
Hazardous Waste Generation Avoidance Training
Health and Safety Training
Home-Based Business Training
Human Resources Training
International Trade Training
Marketing Plan Training
Startup Classes
Trade Education and Training
Are we missing any filter categories? If so, we'd love to know!

 

As a university and grant-funded organization, certain exclusions will apply. Thank you for understanding!

The University of Missouri-Kansas City does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, and any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. View the UMKC Statement of Nondiscrimination.