NetWork Kansas Impact & Performance Highlights
- More than 40 percent of the investments have been in startups
- 650+ nonprofit and government-sector partners
- 75 Entrepreneurship (E-) Community Partnerships
- 875+ local residents involved in Entrepreneurship (E-) Community Partnership leadership teams
- 9,206 participants involved in NetWork Kansas’ Entrepreneurship Programs
NetWork Kansas, in partnership with Kansas Commerce, launched the GROWKS Loan and Equity programs in August of 2022 under the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). SSBCI is authorized under the American Rescue Plan by the U.S. Department of Treasury.
GrowKS Loan Programs
As of June 30, 2024
GrowKS Equity Programs
As of June 30, 2024
Loan Programs
As of June 30, 2024
Venture Programs
As of June 30, 2024
Entrepreneurship Programs
Growing Rural Businesses (GRB) is an 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.
Total Participants as of June 30, 2024: 458
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.
Total Participants as of June 30, 2024: 7,486
This 2-1/2 day training in Independence, Kansas 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.
Total Participants as of June 30, 2024: 29
Entrepreneur Business Basics (EBB) is a 12-week entrepreneurship training course that is open to all but is specifically beneficial to minority entrepreneurs. EBB accomplishes its mission by providing workshops, training sessions and resources facilitated by successful entrepreneurs, seasoned corporate executives and thriving organizations focused on entrepreneurship.
Total Participants as of June 30, 2024: 66
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.
Total Participants as of June 30, 2024: 305
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.
Total Participants as of June 30, 2024: 590
About Our Annual Report
The NetWork Kansas annual report provides strategic data that captures specific benchmarks that programs and partnerships are yielding. The intent of the NetWork Kansas annual report is to provide data that reflects the activities of the fiscal year and is relevant to policymakers, private citizens, and the resource partner network. Users can learn more about the overall organization, strategic activity of current programs and partnerships, and notable initiatives.
This NetWork Kansas annual report covers our fiscal year period, which encompasses a cycle of July 1 – June 30. Click the button below to download our latest annual report.