Topeka startup hub launches diverse entrepreneur community (with fintech help on loan from KC’s Cyphr)
March 4, 2025 | Tommy Felts
TOPEKA — An initiative aimed at boosting early to mid-stage entrepreneur development in the heart of Kansas launched Friday, said Michael Odupitan, noting the effort by Topeka-based Omni Circle to redefine the startup journey — and who’s allowed to join it — comes with a Kansas City assist.
Michael Odupitan, Omni Circle, speaks during a Topeka Startup Community launch event at Omni Circle in Topeka; photo courtesy of Omni Circle
“Omni’s goal is to unite and strengthen communities through equitable opportunities. With the Topeka Startup Community, we do that by connecting entrepreneurs with the people and tools they need to thrive,” said Odupitan, founder and CEO of Omni Circle, unveiling plans to develop a capital access center with Kansas City-based Cyphr at its capital city workspace and entrepreneur training center, as part of the newly announced endeavor.
“When Omni and Cyphr got to talking, it was clear our missions aligned,” he added.
The Topeka Startup Community is designed to bridge a gap in the region’s business ecosystem, Odupitan explained, sharing that budding business owners must start smart and grow sustainably — no matter their background.
“With the Topeka Startup Community, Omni hopes to challenge common misconceptions about what it means to be a startup, while bringing entrepreneurs together to connect, learn and grow,” he said. “We’re seeing an increasing number of entrepreneurs and resource partners in the area get involved, and they’re eager to help us flip the script on what it means to be a business owner in Kansas. I’m confident this community is going to be the path to success for so many.”
From the archives: Omni Circle opens entrepreneurs ‘space to become or build their personal freedom’
Topeka Startup Community’s other resource partners include K-State 105, Network Kansas, AltCap, GO Topeka, the Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Health Foundation, and Washburn Small Business Development Center.
Cyphr is a gamechanger in the fintech space, Odupitan said, making sure entrepreneurs from all backgrounds have access to the capital they need. The startup’s loan readiness assessment tool, LoanReady, will be used by the community to enhance financial literacy and prepare current or future applicants for successful loan applications.
“We knew we could work together to make an even bigger impact,” he said. “Our collaboration will help entrepreneurs in the Topeka Startup Community gain a better understanding of their ability to access capital and improve their financial picture. We’re walking in lockstep for the success of diverse startups across the region.”
Click here to learn more about Cyphr, which uses its technology to foster financial inclusion and ensure everyone has access to the capital they need to thrive.
Jannae Gammage, co-founder of Cyphr, speaks during a Topeka Startup Community launch event at Omni Circle in Topeka; photo courtesy of Omni Circle
“In Topeka, small business loan acceptance rates hover around a measly 20 percent,” said Jannae Gammage, co-founder of Cyphr, who joined Omni Circle Friday for a launch event in Topeka alongside economic development leaders. “Those acceptance rates do not match the caliber of businesses operating in that ecosystem — so, to me, that spells out a knowledge issue, not a readiness issue.”
“LoanReady is set up to fundamentally address this exact thing,” she told Startland News. “Because of Michael’s hard work with Omni Circle, there is a phenomenal foundation for LoanReady to power this process and directly improve these statistics at the grassroots level in a new way — physical locations dedicated to capital access.”
RELATED: How Silicon Valley, Topeka joined forces for a downtown tech incubator in Top City capital
Gammage connected with Omni Circle through the startup’s work with Taylor Overton, director of small business and entrepreneurship at the Kansas Department of Commerce, which is rolling out LoanReady in the State of Kansas.
“We were introduced to Michael and saw first-hand his ability and passion to execute on a big vision,” said Gammage, who also serves as one of KCSourceLink’s new Community Navigators. “The partnership was really a no-brainer. We’re just happy to have a presence in what is a much needed space and we look forward to helping rebuild and redefine what access to capital looks like for small businesses operating in the area — physical locations.”
Omni’s Topeka Startup Community was one of 11 projects across the state selected for the K-State 105 Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative, which is supporting entrepreneurship and small business development across Kansas through a partnership with K-State and Network Kansas.
K-State 105 is Kansas State University’s economic growth and advancement initiative for all 105 counties in Kansas. Network Kansas empowers and drives entrepreneurship across the state by fostering collaboration and investment in startups.
RELATED: K-State opens physical innovation hub space to boost research, economic development
This story is made possible by eGrowth Ventures.
eGrowth 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.
Featured Business
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
This Midtown pizza shop sliced through challenges, topping years of popup work with grand opening
Orange By: Devoured — the flagship pizza shop from Jhy Coulter — is finally ready for the public, she said, after enduring years of pop-ups to keep the dream alive, renovations, and the closure of business lending platform Mainvest that took founders by surprise. “I am tired — I’m exhausted,” Coulter said with a laugh,…
Exited founders: Face the tough conversations first; avoid a messy post-honeymoon breakup
Preparing for an exit begins with co-founder alignment at the startup’s launch, three veteran Kansas City founders agreed. “You are getting married to your founders,” explained Tony Caudill, who co-founded two tech startups with his best friend — including aware3, which was acquired in 2018 by Nelnet. “Just like when you find your mate of…
Hy-Vee’s small biz competition sends Midwest entrepreneurs racing for $50K checkout; Here are the winners
BaKIT Box, a Chicago-based subscription service offering baking kits inspired by diverse global cuisines, took home the $30,000 grand prize at the 2024 Hy-Vee OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summit. Shelley Gupta, the founder and CEO of BaKIT Box, was thrilled to receive the grand prize, she said. “It feels incredible,” Gupta said. “I flew here last…
How city dollars could help crime victims get back to business; Mayor unveils new fund to support struggling entrepreneurs
A newly introduced fund aimed at helping KCMO small businesses recover from and prevent property crimes — offering grants up to $3,000 for damage repairs and $5,000 for security upgrades — is a step in the right direction, said Joe Giammanco, whose pizza shop was recently hit by criminals. “Programs like this are going to…