Kansas program aims to create startups with public-private partnerships

A new Kansas program is tapping universities to incentivize residents to launch more startups through public-private partnerships.

The Kansas Department of Commerce recently kicked off “JumpStart Kansas Entrepreneurs” in the hopes that it will spur economic growth in the Sunflower State via early-stage firms.

“The program is designed to stimulate and grow the economy from the bottom up,” Kansas commerce secretary Antonio Soave said in a release. “What we’re attempting to do is be more closely engaged with entrepreneurs across the state while providing them with the assistance they may need to succeed.”

The program will offer each state university partner $60,000 to facilitate new business creation with residents in their area. Firms participating in JumpStart will be required to stay in their communities for an unspecified period of time, according to a release from the state.

Kansas university partners are Kansas State University’s Advanced Manufacturing Institute, the University of Kansas’ Bioscience and Technology Business Center, Wichita State’s Innovation Campus, Pittsburg State’s Center for Economic and Business Development, as well as Fort Hays State, Emporia State, and Washburn University.

“What we want to do is identify our best and brightest around the state of Kansas and engage with them in a true public-private partnership,” Soave said in the release. “We want to target entrepreneurs who do not necessarily have the access or the opportunity to get a jumpstart sort of fund.”