Batters up! Voting now open for KCSourceLink All-Star competition
June 4, 2018 | Startland News Staff
When the Royals take the field June 18 at Kauffman Stadium, more than a dozen freshly crowned KCSourceLink All-Star honorees will be catching accolades.
But first: You have to vote.
KCSourceLink’s final round of balloting has begun for the All-Star selection, which coincides with the network’s 15-year celebration during Entrepreneur Day at the K. Dozens of leaders, connectors and innovators are among the candidates for the 15 All-Star awards.
Click here to cast your votes through Friday June 8.
Nominations for the awards closed May 30 and were drawn from KCSourceLink’s Resource Partner Network, including individuals affiliated with a nonprofit, educational, governmental, and/or entrepreneurial support organization in the Kansas City metro area.
Winners are expected to be announced during the E Day at the K tailgating event 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. June 18 at Kauffman Stadium. The event is sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. A ticket to the June 18 matchup between the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers is not required for the E Day at the K tailgating party.
“It has taken a village — and time — to build Kansas City entrepreneurship and a resource network that helps entrepreneurs along every step of their journey, from inception to exit,” KCSourceLink said. “And we need your help to celebrate it.”

KCSourceLink All-Star awards include:
- World Series Trophy (most successful supporter)
- Golden Glove (assists other Resource Partners)
- Iron Man Award (longest tenure)
- Outstanding Coaching Award (excellence in execution)
- Hank Aaron Award for Hitting (best at making referrals)
- Utility Infielder (flexibility)
- Most Assists (selfless in supporting the network)
- Homerun Derby Winner (out-of-the-park responsiveness)
- Silver Slugger (delivers every time)
- Cy Young Award (on target problem solving)
- Fanatical Fan (enthusiasm for the network)
- Slugger Award (most supportive of the network)
- Manager of the Year (motivational)
- Most Valuable Player (most active in network)
- Roberto Clemente Award for Sportsmanship (team player)
Featured Business

2018 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Taco trailblazers: Why a Lawrence attorney chased a tortilla flag through KCK
When 2020 began, Scott Reed loaded his plate with plenty of goals, hungry to achieve one in particular. “I told my wife I was going to eat more tacos,” he said, reflecting on the simplistic goal that ultimately became part of a 50-plus plate tour of Kansas City, Kansas. “Fortuitously, the KCK Taco Trail came…
Black and bookish: Founder hopes to turn pop-up page, eyeing coffee and book shop on KC’s east side
Jahna Riley loves the atmosphere of coffee shops. Connecting with others over coffee and a good book is a personal joy, she said, noting one glaring exception in most shops: inclusivity. “Kansas City has an amazing coffee scene, but it’s not necessarily one where I see my culture reflected in it,” Riley shared. “I want…
Why one KC woodworker says he won’t let ‘anything short of the best’ ship out his River Market door
Matt Castilleja’s River Market furniture business ships sculptural and elemental pieces from coast-to-coast — often surprising high-end customers and design fans with the craftsman’s firmly planted Kansas City roots, said Castilleja. “People would think we were some New York boutique or based in someplace like Spain or Italy — more established design communities,” the owner…
Plug and Play taps leader of Topeka young professionals to lead soon-to-launch accelerator
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. TOPEKA…
