A marriage of Mr. K’s passions, ‘E Day at the K’ returns July 19

July 8, 2016  |  Bobby Burch

To say one of Kansas City’s greatest entrepreneurs — Ewing Marion Kauffman — loved baseball would be an understatement.

The founder of Marion Laboratories Inc., Kauffman purchased the Royals in 1968 to bring America’s pastime to his beloved hometown, Kansas City. Along with boosting civic pride, the Royals became a model franchise, employing “moneyball” statistical techniques that helped the team become perennial playoff contenders, win two American League pennants and the World Series in 1985.

But perhaps even more important to Kauffman than baseball was imparting to Americans the tools to economically empower themselves through entrepreneurship. That’s why the foundation in his namesake — the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation — is continuing a tradition that marries two of his passions: entrepreneurship and baseball.

The foundation is hosting its fifth-annual “E Day at the K” tailgate 4 to 6 p.m., July 19, before the Royals take on the Cleveland Indians. The entrepreneurial event will feature food, live music, a painting demonstration and speaker panel with musicians Victor & Penny, artist Phil Shafer and photographer Chris Dahlquist.

“Mr. Kauffman wanted Kansas City to be a premier U.S. city. When he brought the Royals to KC in the 1960s, it was to ensure Kansas City would be on the map as a major city and a Major League city,” said Nathan Kurtz, the Kauffman Foundation’s senior program officer in entrepreneurship. “Mr. Kauffman saw the stadium and the Royals as a place for the city to convene, to connect, to interact and grow as a city. E-Day at the K is another chance for our community to celebrate, learn and cheer on our defending World Series champs.”

Kurtz said that the event provides a space for entrepreneurs of all backgrounds to learn from others and each other. With artist entrepreneurs performing and presenting, Kurtz said the event will bring together Kansas City’s diverse entrepreneurial community.

To learn more or to register for the event, go to: www.kauffman.org/eday

Tagged , , ,
Featured Business
    Featured Founder
      [adinserter block="4"]

      2016 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        Open Doors: Here’s how KCMO plans to turn empty storefronts into a World Cup stage for local talent

        By Tommy Felts | October 15, 2025

        Applications are now open for grants of up to $10,000 for businesses and artists who want to activate underutilized or vacant commercial spaces in the downtown area during the coming FIFA World Cup to showcase Kansas City’s entrepreneurial spirit.  Funds awarded through the just-detailed Open Doors! Program — crafted through a partnership between the City…

        He took over a house-trained side hustle; meow it’s time scale the gourmet catnip brand 

        By Tommy Felts | October 14, 2025

        Adam Larson might be severely allergic to cats, but he’s following his own advice — pawing away at a gourmet catnip side hustle and toying with the best market fit for the business (and his life). Larson — who also is a network convener for MOSourceLink, the founder Decimal Projects, and a former program coordinator at…

        How Main Street Summit is putting homegrown small business on stage with Tim Tebow

        By Tommy Felts | October 14, 2025

        COLUMBIA, Missouri — Small businesses don’t stay small on purpose, said Colby Kraus, echoing a mantra popular among organizers of the Main Street Summit — an immersive downtown experience rich with enough Americana capital for entrepreneurs and community builders from all walks of life.  Approaching its third year, Main Street Summit is set to return Nov.…

        ICYMI: MTC says it’s moving forward with select entrepreneur programs despite steep state funding cuts

        By Tommy Felts | October 14, 2025

        Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Missouri Business Alert, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and The Kansas City Beacon. Click here to read the original story. [divide] The Missouri Technology Corp. has released its annual implementation plan, announcing which programs…