Unlocking Business Potential: How the Technical Assistance (TA) Program Supports Local Entrepreneurs
Starting, growing, and sustaining a business is no easy feat, especially when navigating the complexities of legal, accounting, and financial advisory services. Recognizing these challenges, NetWork Kansas has introduced the Technical Assistance (TA) Grant Program, a vital initiative aimed at empowering local entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed. This grant program is possible through a joint effort with the Kansas Department of Commerce and funding by the US Department of Treasury, through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).
What is the Technical Assistance (TA) Program?
The TA Program is designed to provide financial support to small-business owners and entrepreneurs, helping them access essential professional services. Whether you’re launching a new business, expanding an existing one, or overcoming operational hurdles, the TA Program offers crucial assistance. The program focuses on covering some costs associated with legal, accounting, and financial advisory services—key areas that are critical to business success and can be presented in an individual or programming cohort setting.
Who Can Benefit?
The TA Program is available to both current and prospective clients of NetWork Kansas, particularly those based in participating E-Communities (or based within the state of Kansas). It’s open to both non-profit and for-profit businesses, regardless of whether they’re just starting out or already established. Entrepreneurial support organizations (ESOs) and community leaders also have a unique opportunity to enhance their local economies by accessing crucial funding for programming cohorts focused on legal, accounting, and financial advisory training.
Key Benefits of the TA Program:
● Substantial Financial Support: The program covers 100% of the grant
request, up to $1,000, allowing businesses to access high-quality professional services without the financial burden. The maximum hourly rate covered is $150.
● Targeted Assistance: The program prioritizes funding for services that
address legal, accounting, and financial advisory needs—areas that are often pivotal in a business’s growth and sustainability.
● Programming Cohorts: Local Entrepreneurship support organizations (ESOs) can secure funding to cover up to 75% of the costs associated with hosting educational classes or training sessions in legal, accounting, and financial advisory fields. Allowing them to offer high-quality, expert-led sessions without the financial strain typically associated with such initiatives.
● Additional Opportunities: Businesses participating in various programming cohorts may be eligible for additional funding, further enhancing their ability to succeed.
The Process
Applying for the TA Program is straightforward. The application must be submitted by either the E-Community point person or the entrepreneur. After the application is reviewed and approved, NetWork Kansas processes the payment directly to the service provider, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for both the entrepreneur and the service provider.
The TA Program offers a wide range of programs and services, including:
● Legal Services: Assistance with business formation, contracts, succession planning, patents, compliance, and more.
● Accounting Services: Payroll training, QuickBooks training, financial statement preparation, and related advisory services.
● Financial Advisory Services: Guidance on cash flow management, financial planning, investor presentations, and sourcing capital or grants.
Become a Certified Technical Assistance Provider:
For professionals in legal, accounting, and financial advisory fields, the TA Program offers an excellent opportunity to become a Certified Technical Assistance Provider.
Certification not only increases your visibility among a growing network of entrepreneurs, but also positions your business as a trusted partner in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
To join the program and become a Certified Technical Assistance Provider, complete the certification form here.
The Technical Assistance Program is more than just financial aid; it’s a commitment to the success and growth of local entrepreneurs by providing education. By alleviating the costs associated with essential professional services, the TA Program helps businesses navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and build a solid foundation for long-term success. Whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking support or a professional service provider looking to make a difference, this program offers a unique and impactful way to contribute to our community’s economic vitality.