Blog

Dell Gines of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City inteviews NetWork Kansas' leadership to highlight how NetWork Kansas leveraged its statewide entrepreneurship ecosystem and partners to provide emergency capital to 340 entrepreneurs across the state in a span of three days.

Congratulations to the three businesses that received funding from NetWork Kansas during March.

This e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems feature explores the role of community in economic development and outlines the prosperity development framework for rural communities.

Network Kansas' compilation of resources to help small businesses now features several examples of local efforts to mobilize Kansas communities. Though not exhaustive, this listing does provide insight on the overwhelming response to provide aid and relief as a result of the impact of COVID-19.

This e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems feature explores the powerful connection between community environment, and therefore quality of life placemaking, and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The initial response to the HIRE Fund program was overwhelming. More than 1,400 applications for funding were received, with more than 800 submitted within 24 hours of the program being announced.

NetWork Kansas has made funding decisions and has notified applicants of their status. SBA Disaster Loan applications are still being accepted.

The SBA has declared that Kansas small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus may now qualify for low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has established the Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency (HIRE) Fund to provide bridge loans for Kansas’ hospitality sector in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The Kansas Department of Commerce and NetWork Kansas will administer the loan program. Details here.

Today NetWork Kansas announced the roll-out of VentureDash, an online entrepreneurship competition management system designed to streamline the facilitation of entrepreneurship fairs and business plan competitions held throughout the state. The system was created by Moonbase Labs based out of Wichita, and will soon be implemented in Entrepreneurship (E-) Communities across the state.