Venture for America launches in KC to help startups find talent
December 6, 2016 | Meghan LeVota
A national fellowship program that helps recent graduates launch careers in entrepreneurship announced an expansion into Kansas City.
With a mission to revitalize American cities, Venture for America partners with startups, business leaders and foundations to connect young talent with early-stage companies. In addition to the opportunity to work hands on with startups, The New York City-based organization provides mentorship, network and resources for young people in 17 locations around the U.S.
Founder and CEO Andrew Yang noted that thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Kansas City was a natural choice for Venture for America’s expansion.
“We see tremendous potential in the Kansas City entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Yang said in a release. “We hope to seed this next generation of entrepreneurs with the skills, experience and networks they need to one day become successful entrepreneurs that create enduring jobs in Kansas City and across the country.”
Venture for America aims to put young people in a better position to contribute to economic development. The two-year fellowship program will begin in Kansas City in August 2017 and bring ten fellows to the Kansas City metro.
Victor Hwang, vice president of entrepreneurship at the Kauffman Foundation, said he’s excited to usher more young people into the metro’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
”As a growing entrepreneurial city, Kansas City is primed for Venture for America’s keen ability to cultivate future entrepreneurs by matching them with startups,” Hwang said in a release. “Kansas City startups will gain as much as the VFA Fellows who will apprentice in these emerging companies.”
Since its launch in 2011, Venture for America has contributed to the creation of over 2,000 jobs in its partner cities, including St. Louis, Denver, San Antonio and others. If you’re interested in applying for the program, click here.
2016 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Science City at Union Station wins experience award
Science City at Union Station was named one of two worldwide recipients for a prestigious visitor experience award. The EDGIE Award, or Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Award, for visitor experience was given to Science City last week by the Association of Science-Technology Centers, a nonprofit organization that represents science centers and museums. The award…
OP prescription software firm lands $2.7M
An Overland Park software company recently wrapped up a hefty funding round, according to its founder and CEO. Rx Savings Solutions, a business that works with other companies to manage employees’ monthly medications, secured $2.7 million in funding. Kansas City investors Dan Henry, CEO of NetSpend Corp., and Jeffrey Brown, chairman at StoreFinancial, led the…
LaunchKC winners reflect on ‘massive opportunity’
Once the dust settled on the LaunchKC grant recipient announcement, the champagne bottles popped. Founders from the 10 winning companies — parred down from a list of 500 — had reason to celebrate Friday afternoon between the promise of $50,000 and the chance to land some office space. Of the 10 recipient companies, six come…
Set your watch: 90 seconds with local innovators, entrepreneurs
It’s coming! Set your watch as we team up with FlatlandKC to highlight Kansas City’s innovators and entrepreneurs, all in 90 seconds. “90 on the Clock” premieres Wednesday, Sept. 23, with Callie England, founder of Rawxies, as she talks about her East Bottoms business and its raw, vegan, and gluten- and soy-free treats. The five-part series continues each Wednesday as the 90-second…