K-State LAB offering Kansas startups free growth resources
February 17, 2017 | Meghan LeVota
A Kansas State University business development program is awarding more than $100,000 in grants to Kansas startups.
Through K-State LAB — which stands for “launching a business” — participants will receive business lessons, face-to-face mentoring and access to market research. Launched in 2014, the program aims to connect entrepreneurs with the right people so that they can grow their ventures, director of the Kansas State center for the advancement of entrepreneurship Chad Jackson said.
“The Launch a Business program allows us to share our expertise with the community,” Jackson said in a release. “Our faculty, alumni and students are incredible resources, and we are excited to ask them to volunteer to support the next great startup ventures. We are grateful to KS State Bank for making this possible.”
Eligible startups must be based in Kansas, innovative, scalable and not have raised outside funding. Kansas City area startups including AEGLE Palette, Alvoru Clothing and Acre Designs were among the local firms that have participated in the program.
10 promising startups will be selected into the one month program, which will begin May 25 and culminate with a demo day in June. This year, the program will accept an additional five entrepreneurs who are K-State faculty or graduate students.
Applications will open March 1. For more information, visit the K-State LAB website.
Featured Business

2017 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Ford opens door to July 29 pitch competition, $50K in prizes for women entrepreneurs
The Ford Motor Company Fund is bringing a new pitch competition — and $50,000 in prizes — to Kansas City this summer as part of its effort to boost women social entrepreneurs. Announced during the final moments of last week’s HI-HERImpact virtual entrepreneurship summit for Kansas City, the planned July 29 competition is part of a national…
First foot forward: LA dreamer returns to KC to launch shoe brand with one-of-a-kind pop-up
Sky Jackson walked through Motion House Studios in the West Bottoms wearing a shirt and pants he had sewn together himself, as well as a pair of Scoops — Jackson’s premier footwear line inspired by the light-heartedness and joy of ice cream. “I have been wanting to make a shoe brand since I was a…
Why Blue Springs, KC are so hungry for Whataburger: You have the brand; We have the people
When Whataburger arrives later this year in Kansas City, the popular Texas-based restaurant chain is expected to bring more than its spicy ketchup and an iconic burger that takes two hands to hold. Company and city officials on Thursday emphasized a local hunger for both the 70-year-old brand and the 700 jobs it plans to…
‘What we’re doing matters’: On-demand marketing startup honored as top ‘emerging’ KC business
A never-give-up attitude and an appreciation for every opportunity that comes their way continues to fuel the founding duo behind Kansas City-built The Market Base. “We’re just glad to be recognized for our relentless pursuit,” Milad Ghasempour, co-founder and COO, said moments after the startup was named Emerging Business Award winner by the Greater Kansas…
