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Computer science can now be counted as a core math or science credit toward high school graduation per the The Kansas State Board of Education. “This policy change was an important step towards arming our students with critical skills for their future career paths,” said Nick Poels, Director of Remote Work and Entrepreneurship at NetWork Kansas, and the project lead for Ignister – a new initiative designed to enhance computer science opportunity across the state.

Effective January 1, 2019, a new national initiative launches known as e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. The Center’s Co-Founder, Don Macke, joins the NetWork Kansas team as Vice President. This innovative effort will provide a platform to offer learning institutes, a consulting network, analytics support and mentoring to benefit the entrepreneurs, small businesses, resource partners and communities in Kansas as well as nationally.

While the position you are paid for may be as economic development or chamber director, banker, or educator, if you believe in the power of connecting and breaking down silos in your communities to support entrepreneurs, you are also an ecosystem builder. These principles can be the answer to the question, “What can I do to strengthen my ecosystem besides invest funding?” Simone Elder of NetWork Kansas recaps her experience at the 2018 ESHIP Summit coordinated by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Shelley Paasch of NetWork Kansas shares her experience as an E-Community coach in her own words.

NetWork Kansas, which connects startups and existing businesses with a statewide network of resources, celebrated its 12th anniversary this month by introducing the “KSeship” mobile application. The app, developed by Clutch Studio in Wichita, was designed to simplify access to three types of resources that entrepreneurs and businesses may need at some point in their business lifecycle.

Erik Pedersen of NetWork Kansas shares data that highlights the impact of the E-Community Partnership.

Jon Schallert of the popular Longmont, Co. business development program, Destination Business BootCamp, is scheduled to present a community-based marketing/sales workshop on December 15 and to reconnect with six Wichita business owners who attended his training in October.

Maker Space Boot Camp approved by NetWork Kansas’ board as a best practice entrepreneurship program

The Kansas Health Foundation launched the Kansas Healthy Food Initiative (KHFI) at the Kansas Leadership Center in Wichita to help improve Kansans' access to healthy food. Guest contributor, David E. Procter, Ph.D., shares details about the initiative, its purpose and potential impact.

True to its mission of connecting entrepreneurs and small business owners with the right resources when they are needed most, NetWork Kansas is nearing a milestone marker of providing 50,000 referrals across the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.