ENTREPRENEURS

You build this city . . .

When you start a business or grow one, when you #ShopLocalKC, when you invest in a startup, when you connect an entrepreneur to a resource, when you reach out for help with your idea, when you provide training to a business owner—all of you help strengthen our economy and make Kansas City a great place to live, work and play.

Because when you choose KC, you create KC.

We Create KC: Year 5, Kansas City's state of entrepreneurship report, celebrates all of you who help create a better Kansas City and who are helping us become America's most entrepreneurial city. 

In this year's state of entrepreneurship report, you'll find:

  • a 15-year timeline of Kansas City’s entrepreneurial infrastructure, from the launch of KCSourceLink in 2003 to the 10th anniversary of Global Entrepreneurship Week

  • a numeric breakdown of the four types of entrepreneurs who contribute to the Kansas City economy

  • the quantifiable impact of Kansas City startups (defined as first-time employers with fewer than 20 employees) through the number of jobs they create

  • the capital continuum and the number of capital resources that are a part of Kansas City’s entrepreneurial infrastructure

  • the number of equity investments and grants into KC-based companies as well as the amount invested in KC startups

  • the number of investors from Kansas City that are investing in KC companies as compared with investors from outside of Kansas City

  • a list of Kansas City companies to watch based on funding in 2016 and 2017

  • examples of how corporations can engage with Kansas City’s startup ecosystem

 

Have questions about how you can get connected to KC entrepreneurship? Just give us a call at 816-235-6500.

 

We Create KC: Year 5        We Create Capital 2017         We Create Jobs

PROGRESS

Through the Entrepreneur Dashboard, KCSourceLink measures the vibrancy and vitality of KC's entrepreneurial ecosystem with these benchmarks.

Click on the icons below  to track Kansas City's progress on improving capital for entrepreneurs, increasing entrepreneurial density and connectivity and growing innovative ideas and talent right here at home.
We Create Jobs | KCSourceLink Report on Job Contribution from KC Startups

Jobs

How do KC entrepreneurs impact our economy?

Capital

Capital

Who funds KC companies and who gets funded?

Stem Workforce

Innovation Pipeline

Are we growing the ideas and talent to support high-growth entrepreneurship?

Network Connectivity

Density + Connectivity

Where are new companies located and how connected are our entrepreneurs to resources?

Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Reports

Ecosystem Reports

How is Kansas City progressing toward becoming
America's most entrepreneurial city? Download the reports
on jobs, capital, entrepreneurship, programs and more.

We Create KC: Year 1 We Create KC: Year 2

We Create KC: Year 3 We Create KC: Year 4

We Create KC: Year 5

CAPITAL


Kansas City is leaving millions of dollars on the table in federal and private funding that could fuel early-stage startups, create jobs and spur economic growth.

The good news: action steps to fill the gaps in the early-stage finance continuum are clear. Kansas City needs to strengthen the funding infrastructure, build the experience needed to pursue federal funding and connect investors with entrepreneurs and with other investors.

With We Create Capital, KCSourceLink has outlined a community action plan to help Kansas City build the capacity and the continuum to support early-stage entrepreneurship—a critical step toward making KC America’s most entrepreneurial city.

Download the summary of We Create Capital, the 2017 Capital Update or submit your information to receive a link to the full, 52-page report. 

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RESOURCES

Find the right business-building resource for your startup or scaleup, right now.

Just give us some hints about the help you need in The Resource Navigator to the right. Or give us call at 816.235.6500 and we'll connect you with the experts who can help you solve your business challenges and grow your business.

Be inspired by our Entrepreneurs in Action.

Find training and networking events on KC's most comprehensive business calendar.

Start, grow or fund your business with insightful tips from the KCSourceLink blog.