Entrepreneurship Programs

E-Community Programs

NetWork Kansas Board Certified Programs

NetWork Kansas Board Certified Programs have been approved by the NetWork Kansas board of directors as an acceptable use of E-Community grant (if awarded) and/or marketing funds in order to generate entrepreneurial activity in a community.

E-Communities Board Certified Program Handout

Board Certified Program Initial Report and Grant Request

Destination BootCamp

Destination BootCamp®

This 2-1/2 day training in Longmont, CO is for business owners who want to accelerate their learning curve, receive in-depth instruction, strategies, and specific tactics on how to become a dominant “Destination Business” preferred by customers. Internationally-recognized business expert Jon Schallert teaches a 14-step strategy to turn businesses and communities into destinations. The Community Reinvention Program sends a group of 6+ business owners and a community coordinator from a community to the same Destination BootCamp® session and includes follow-up consulting and an on-site workshop with Jon.

Destination BootCamp® dates:

September 1-3
October 27-29
GRADUATE-ONLY BOOTCAMP: September 14-16
All offerings are virtual

Download the Destination BootCamp Brochure (PDF)

Learn more about Destination BootCamp and CRP

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Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Series

The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge series (YEC) is a sequence of community-based entrepreneurship competitions for students in grades 7-12, culminating in a state championship. The YEC series gives students hands-on experience thinking entrepreneurially by creating, developing and presenting a business concept that addresses a problem or opportunity. Then, on a given day, students compete against one another in teams or individually. Students’ work is judge by local entrepreneurs, resource partners, teachers or other adults and prizes are awarded. The YEC series has been in existence since 2013. Learn more.

Download the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge brochure (PDF)

Ice House

The Kansas Ice House Entrepreneurship Program

The Kansas Ice House Entrepreneurship Program is an 8-week certificate program that develops entrepreneurial skills like critical thinking, communication, problem solving, and other key assets.

Inspired by the life story of Pulitzer nominee Clifton Taulbert, the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program was created by the Kauffman Foundation as a powerful learning program designed to educate and engage participants in the fundamental aspects of an entrepreneurial mindset. Learn more.

Download the Kansas Ice House brochure (PDF)

Maker Space Boot Camp

This 2-1/2 day training in Independence, Kan. is for communities who want to learn how to create an entrepreneurial mindset and maker space in their community to enhance community revitalization efforts. Fab Lab ICC experts demonstrate how they set up their maker space, share impact from community members, and showcase the magic of making, showing that anyone can learn to use a maker space. Participants take home a collection of plans and processes and benefit from two post-camp phone consultations with Fab Lab ICC founder Jim Correll. E-Community loan funds can pay for registration and travel. Discounts available for E-Community participants. Learn more.

2021 Maker Space Boot Camps in Independence, KS:

March 2-4

Fall class TBD

Download the Maker Space Boot Camp brochure (PDF)

Growing Rural Businesses

The 8-week certificate program provides practical, applied information and examples necessary for todayʼs rural communities. The Growing Rural Businesses Model is certificate program customized for rural businesses. Participants receive a comprehensive practical approach to conducting business along with the resources needed to succeed. Group discussions facilitated by Wichita State University Center for Entrepreneurship staff provide insights on how to approach challenges and solve them effectively. Learn more.

Download the Growing Rural Business brochure (PDF)

Economic Gardening

The Kansas Economic Gardening Network was launched by NetWork Kansas in 2010 to connect second-stage companies that have the intent and capacity to grow their business with expert consulting services designed to increase revenue and create sustainable job growth. Selected businesses interact with an experienced national economic gardening team who deliver services tailored to meet the needs of each business, including: generating sales leads, mapping geographic areas to facilitate targeted marketing, using SEO and other strategies to give the business a competitive edge. Learn More (PDF).

What participating businesses say about Economic Gardening:

BuddyRest - "I would highly recommend Economic Gardening to any business because the in-depth research provided is incredibly valuable. We extracted a tremendous amount of value, not only from the research but the insight that comes along with it, which allows us to formulate the most effective strategies for growing and scaling our businesses."

HayesBrand Molding, Inc. - "All of the information that you provided was incredible and I am very excited about it!"

Reverie - "Economic Gardening is a gateway into understanding the things about your business that you don't always know are there. It is an opportunity to have experts offer advice that we would otherwise not be able to afford."

E-Community Board Certified Programs Contact

To learn more about E-Community Board Certified Programs, contact Amara Kniep, Manager, E-Community Programs.