K-State accelerator opens applications to startups; university dives deeper into regional K-State 105 initiative
January 29, 2025 | Startland News Staff
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.
MANHATTAN, Kansas — Sunflower State startups are invited to apply for Kansas State University’s entrepreneurship accelerator, which now boasts a more-than-10-year track record, as well as a refined focus on economic development.
Applications are now open for the fully online Center for Entrepreneurship Accelerator program, which runs April through July 2025. Led by K-State’s College of Business Administration, the premier initiative is designed to support early-stage startups in Kansas.
Chad Jackson, Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship, Kansas State University
“Our accelerator program allows us to leverage K-State’s unique resources to foster innovation within the community,” said Chad Jackson, director of the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship. “By connecting entrepreneurs with our faculty, alumni mentors and students, we aim to provide invaluable support for startup ventures.”
Click here to apply or learn more about the criteria and application process. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply by Feb. 24.
The accelerator directly supports many of the goals of K-State 105 and the University’s Economic Property Plan through: direct jobs created, capital and equity investment attracted and leveraged, new businesses established or expanded, and businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities/municipalities receiving funding or technical assistance.
Applications are open to founders of scalable, for-profit businesses or ideas, including student-led ventures. Selection criteria include identifying a meaningful problem and offering an innovative solution, demonstrating drive and adaptability, and showing a strong commitment to the venture.
The industry-agnostic accelerator opened in 2014, and has played host to a diverse range of Kansas City-area startups and businesses, including among the 2024 class:
- CC Thrift (Makenna Baldwin, then-junior in entrepreneurship), Lee’s Summit, Missouri — A closet cleanout service that pays people to pick up their old, unwanted clothes; Clothes are sorted and resold or donated.
- Partydip (Heidi Brown and Angela Hein), Manhattan — An online marketplace that saves parents’ time by putting everything they need to plan a child’s party at their fingertips.
- Room Décor Alley (Reese Reitz, then-junior in entrepreneurship and innovation), Louisburg — A gift boutique that provides quality, affordable and unique products for everyone.
- Sammy Kopecky Photography (Samantha Kopecky, then-senior in marketing), Leawood — A photography company with a passion for creating glowy, joyful and timeless photos that capture special moments in your story.
- Wool Processing (Samuel Manus, then-senior in entrepreneurship and innovation), Tonganoxie — A business focused on alternative wool processing and products.
This story is made possible by Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures.
Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures (EGV) is a business unit of NetWork Kansas supporting innovative, high-growth entrepreneurs in the State of Kansas. NetWork Kansas promotes an entrepreneurial environment by connecting entrepreneurs and small business owners with the expertise, education and economic resources they need to succeed.
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Four role models selected for Hall of Fame as Junior Achievement celebrates 25 years of business honors
A fresh round of Hall of Fame laureates celebrates Kansas City’s living legacy of visionary leaders who drive business excellence, innovation and community impact, said Megan Sturges, announcing a range of honorees from tech to tender chicken. “The JA Business Hall of Fame celebrates more than business success — it honors the spirit of leadership…
First domino falls as University of Kentucky athletic department launches its own LLC
Editor’s note: The perspectives expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Parker Graham is co-founder of Vestible, an Overland Park-based investment platform that gives fans ownership in the career trajectories of their favorite players. The University of Kentucky’s athletic department is officially becoming its own LLC. Anyone in athletics needs to understand the implications…
BoysGrow cultivates young leaders in South Kansas City through farming, purpose, entrepreneurship
Editor’s note: The following story was written and first published by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri (EDCKC). Click here to read the original story. At the heart of South Kansas City’s farmland, a quiet transformation is happening. For more than a decade, BoysGrow has been shaping not just crops — but futures. Founded in…
Start the ignition: These Operation Breakthrough students just designed MADE MOBB’s latest drop
Vu Radley wants students at Operation Breakthrough’s Ignition Lab to have opportunities he wishes he would have been offered in high school, shared the co-owner of Crossroads-based streetwear brand MADE MOBB. His team spent the past nine months working with a handful of teens at the Ignition Lab — Josiah Bryant, Suleyman Dia, Jeremiyah Bradley,…