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

Square One Small Business and Workforce Development Services by Mid-Continent Public Library

Square One Small Business Services at Mid-Continent Public Library supports local entrepreneurs through access to information, programs, and opportunity. Whether owning a business is a brand new dream or your life’s work, MCPL is committed to helping you succeed.

About

The Square One Small Business Services team has moved all of its classes on line and has developed a few courses targeted to the current situation (like Curbside Pickup: Best Practices.)

The current list of offerings is on their Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/pg/mcplsquareone/events/?ref=page_internal

 

Square One

  • Seeks to connect local entrepreneurs and small business owners to the resources and services they need to be successful in today’s marketplace.

  • Includes business specialists who provide one-on-one attention, help, training, and educational opportunities.

  • Provides valuable business tools—such as online databases like ReferenceUSA—as well as vital resources in the community.

  • Hosts free business seminars led by experienced, local experts on everything from financing and marketing a venture to customer service and advice on operating food-focused enterprises.

Mid-Continent Public Library (MCPL) consists of 31 locations serving Clay, Jackson, and Platte Counties in Western Missouri. MCPL provides business reference materials and many MCPL branches have free library programs and events that for people who own small businesses or those contemplating starting a small business. Find a local branch by going to mymcpl.org.

MCPL provides resource materials and online databases that can be used by business owners to access information related to starting or growing a business including:

  • Sample business plans and templates
  • Marketing
  • Market research
  • Locate local businesses
  • Demographic data
  • Industry research
  • Company research
  • Grant databases
  • Online business guides and books
  • Financial literacy

Information is accessible at any of the 35 locations or online with an MCPL access pass.  You can access help from, Kelly Head, the Business Information Librarian, at the Colbern Road Library Center.  Kelly is on-hand to answer reference questions via email (khead@mymcpl.org).

Services

Business Planning

  • Demographic/Census Data
  • Identification/Research of Foreign Markets
  • Market Research

Human Resources

  • Employee Development, Hiring and Policies
  • Retention

Import and Export Assistance

  • Identification/Research of Foreign Markets
  • Networking/Exploring Exporting

Legal Services

  • Patent, Trademark & Copyright Information

Libraries and Research Organizations

  • Business Research Resources
  • Demographic/Census Data

Management Issues

  • Human Resources

Marketing/Sales

  • Competitive Analysis
  • Demographics/Census Data
  • Identification/Research of Foreign Markets
  • Market Research

Mentoring

  • One-on-One Counseling

Starting a Business

  • Business Research Resources
  • Home-Based Business Training
  • Startup Business Counseling
  • Startup Classes

Training

  • Marketing Plan Training
  • Startup Classes
Primary ContactAnne Wallace
AddressLees Summit, MO 64086
Phone(816) 778-0963