Kansas City: Communitywide Partnerships to Boost Local Businesses
The city of Kansas City is a finalist for this year’s City Accelerator project, which is focused on helping cities build and grow their network of local businesses and entrepreneurs of color.
The city of Kansas City is a finalist for this year's City Accelerator project, which is focused on helping cities build and grow their network of local businesses and entrepreneurs of color. Cities that are chosen for the project will receive valuable support and resources from experts and peers to help them achieve their goals.
You can help select this year's City Accelerator participants! Check out the cities' pitches, and then let us know which ones you think should be a part of this important program by giving them a star rating and leaving your comments below!
What is Kansas City proposing?
Kansas City proposes a new model for making optimal use of services for, and investments in, growing local businesses across its many community and nonprofit partners. Under the new strategy, the alliance would work with residents and the business community to raise awareness and access to the services of the partner organizations with a view to increasing community engagement and business success.
VIEW OTHER CITY PITCHES
For a detailed description of the mission and purpose of the City Accelerator’s cohort on Local Businesses and Jobs Growth, click here.
Public response is one of several criteria being used by the City Accelerator to select cohort cities. The number of ratings or comments by themselves do not determine final status or selection.
Christine Butler
On: 07-14-2018Every time I turn around I hear of something new, innovative and positive going on in our great KC! I love living here!
Greg Owsley
On: 07-12-2018KC is beating strong these days. Proud to live in the heart of America!
Nia Webster
On: 07-06-2018Kansas City needs this to help grow our minority businesses in the city. We have strong communities, foundations and platforms to help excel this mission.
Andrea
On: 07-04-2018Diversity is vital to Kansas City’s growth. By providing entrepreneurs with additional resources, Kansas City will have an opportunity to not only be more inclusive but also innovative.
VWC
On: 07-03-2018Great pitch! KC is doing a lot of great things.
Carol J. Zierman
On: 07-03-2018Good pitch, great potential, good partnerships already in place to build on.
Lhg
On: 07-03-2018Kansas City is doing great things.
Ben Kittrell
On: 06-30-2018Our entrepreneurial community is thriving, but we could always use help with diversity.
Lee Zuvanich
On: 06-28-2018Diversity is vital to our growth as a world-class city, and Kansas City has work to do - thank you to the agencies that are representing us!
Sandy Neidinger
On: 06-26-2018Doing great things for the city!
ACJ
On: 06-26-2018As a young person in Kansas City, the Accelerator program will give me hope and inspiration for the great city we can become!
MVJ
On: 06-26-2018Kansas City - the right place and the right time for the City Accelerator program! Let's promote women and minority owned businesses and build our network across the country!
Eva Schulte
On: 06-26-2018Alt Cap and Project UK are two of the best leaders for inclusive capital access in Kansas City. Let’s support them. Thank you Rebecca Dove, Quest Moffat and Ruben Alonso!
Joel English
On: 06-25-2018As a Business Coach with the Kansas City Kansas Community College, I agree with Mayor Sly James of KCMO 100%. There are many women and people of color in Kansas as well as Missouri that only need access to resources and connections to be successful. Keep pushing Mayor James!
HC
On: 06-25-2018What a great opportunity for our city. I think we tend to get overlooked compared to our "neighbors", St. Louis and Denver. This is a chance to show how great our city is and what we have to offer!
Grace
On: 06-25-2018KC!
Kansas City!
On: 06-25-2018Kansas City could truly benefit from a program such as this - the city itself as well as the people and businesses that make KC such a desirable city!
Melissa Jass
On: 06-25-2018Kansas City is a great place for the Accelerator program! We have a rich cultural heritage and our many diverse citizens would embrace the opportunity to grow and develop!
Catina Taylor
On: 06-25-2018Kansas City Strong!
Erin Little
On: 06-24-2018This is a great opportunity for Kansas City and has all the markers of success with the ecosystem we have.
Lisa Sanesanong
On: 06-24-2018I moved from East Bay California to Kansas City. I've lived here for about 10 years. This is definitely a city to watch. There's so much community support and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. As a female looking to start her own next big business, an accelerator like this would absolutely help! Agreed, much needed.
Lauren Conaway
On: 06-23-2018KC’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is vibrant and growing but we still have a lot of work to do. A program like this would be an incredible opportunity!
Kate
On: 06-23-2018This is much needed and would be a huge win for KC!
Mark Davis
On: 06-22-2018I enjoy the partnership and friendship I share with people of color here in KC. KCMO has an extraordinary amount of programs and groups that encourage and reward diverse collaboration.
Ina P Montgomery
On: 06-22-2018Bring it. KC needs this.
Kathryn Golden
On: 06-22-2018Yes, please! #KC would welcome and foster this!! Bring it.
Bri
On: 06-22-2018KC is a major hub in the Midwest for innovation! An opportunity like this would be beneficial for all parties.
Shaylee Yount
On: 06-21-2018YES! Kansas City needs this!
Laura Isabel Alvarez
On: 06-21-2018Kansas City has such a unique opportunity with organizations like Project UK. Let's get this in Kansas City soon!
Rick Usher
On: 06-21-2018The partnerships are growing! AltCap is in!
Jerry
On: 06-21-2018We need this
Larry J
On: 06-21-2018My son just completed a course with ProjectUK incubator. I believe we need more orograms like this on the east side of troost. Each day I listened to my son open up about new learnings, and I'm grateful.
Tony Ganote
On: 06-21-2018Mayor Sly James has done wonderful work in this endeavor !!!
Daniel Smith
On: 06-21-2018This is a great opportunity for the City of Kansas City. Great job team!
Nancy
On: 06-21-2018I believe the business case benefits all our communities in Kansas City and it's a reflection of who we are - seeking real solutions to problems, forward thinking, and inclusive.
Leslie Boyle
On: 06-21-2018Kansas City is moving forward and this would be a fantastic way!!
Rick Usher
On: 06-21-2018Maria, the City Accelerator award will bring KC into a cohort of 4 cities to share and collaborate on a national level to increase recognition of racial bias and address issues that still permeate entrepreneurship. That being said, the organizations we're working with have a strong records of serving people of color and we will keep pushing economic equity through this KC partnership.
Maria H
On: 06-21-2018If we do not get the award, what is the plan of action to keep this amazing momentum moving forward? I really enjoy the awesome resources that are available in Kansas City and would love to see this type of platform be offered within communities that are often left behind. Thank you to the leaders and Community organizations that applied for this amazing opportunity.
Laura A
On: 06-21-2018One amazing idea. I hope to see this platform affect the growing Hispanic community nof KC. Please partner with hedc and Hispanic Chamber. I look forward to seeing Project United Knowledge help out the best way possible....
Quest Moffat
On: 06-21-2018Thisnisna much needed platform in kcmo to support everyone in the KC Metro area, our urbancores and especially women and POC. We have so many great orgs in KCMO and an awesome ecosystem that helps all founders no matter what walks of life and our neighborhood they come from, but this platform could act as super glue with other neighborhood associations, nonprofit organizations, existing education programs, and many other opportunities to come together to better service our local communities and the businesses within them. Having this opportunity will give us a national presence to boost our already entrepreneurship goals.
Kirk Hasenzahl
On: 06-20-2018Lots of focus on entrepreneurship in KC. Would be a great city for this program
April Boyd-Noronha
On: 06-20-2018I support the incubator initiative!
Anonymous
On: 06-20-2018Kansas City is growing fast, in ways more innovative than ever before. Streetcar expansion to UMKC housing booms, start ups, and restaurants. But as the roots of our city lie on oppression, exclusion and sheer racism, the fruits of our labour reflect that. Please, make a more humane decisions like this to level out the playing field.
Sekou
On: 06-20-2018I want Kansas City great again!
Julie Massana
On: 06-20-2018Great way for Kansas City to keep up with our tech momentum.
Jennifer Wilding
On: 06-20-2018Proud of KC for its entrepreneurial spirit!
Ty Johnson
On: 06-20-2018KC wants all people of all types to become part of the technical wave. Our leadership and our citizens are working together. #letsgoKC
Jill Hathaway
On: 06-20-2018KC has the resources and connections to help grow local businesses and support our entrepreneurs.
Neil Steiner
On: 06-20-2018Let's be a world class entrepreneurial city Kansas City!
Kelly
On: 06-20-2018So much talent in the Kansas City area... let's take it to the next level.
R Taylor
On: 06-20-2018Kansas City is a great place to call home, and I have loved the beginning of its renaissance. The people are wonderful.
Adam Arredondo
On: 06-20-2018As divided as KC is, this would have an enormous impact on our community. We need this!
Megan H
On: 06-20-2018KC is an amazing community and would be a great fit!
Leslie
On: 06-20-2018Yes! KC, lead the way!
Julie
On: 06-20-2018KC is thriving! Let's make sure everyone can contribute their talent.
Emily Branch
On: 06-20-2018KC has a vibrant, growing legal community, especially for small and mid-sized firms. This community has supported me and my biz for a number of years and I’m very grateful. -Emily Branch, Legal Staffing Solutions, LLC (woman owned small biz based in Downtown KCMO)
Rebecca D
On: 06-20-2018Thank you for recognizing each organization. It's wonderful you are aware as a leader of the challenges our city faces.
Kerrie
On: 06-20-2018Looking to support diversity owned business in our area!
Adam
On: 06-19-2018KC rocks!
Kris Adair
On: 06-19-2018Kansas City has helped grow my business from idea to reality. We would not be as successful without the entrepreneurial help the Kansas City community provided to get started. This is a great idea to expand that help to more.
Thank you!
On: 06-19-2018Thank you Mayor James, We truly appreciate your leadership and push for diversity in small business development. Kansas City really IS great! The cost of living is low and we're known for that great Kansas City kindness. I hope we get this. You can count me in and I'm happy to support in anyway I can.
Jeff Shackelford
On: 06-19-2018Great video and great entrepreneurial city working to include all entrepreneurs!
Eryn Potthast
On: 06-19-2018I lived in a KC for 6 years and it’s a wonderful city doing some amazing things! This will just make it better 😊
Bryan Kitahara
On: 06-19-2018Yes! Definitely on board with the mayor’s message of inclusion, resources and partnerships... but we need more.
VIctor Hurlbert
On: 06-19-2018Humble drive here in KC
Anonymous
On: 06-19-2018Unbelievable city for true innovation and a collaborative group of resources focusing on this space.
Weworth Capital
On: 06-19-2018As a female investor in KC, I am excited to continue to invest and grow with all our local firms. I continue to be impressed by our city’s efforts and support. Our firms are better poised for success because of the programs they can be involved in before, during and after funding rounds.
John Martellaro
On: 06-19-2018KC has its act together. Business, government, labor, educational and nonprofit sectors pulling together in same direction.
Amanda Bertholf
On: 06-19-2018Amanda Bertholf
Troy Norris
On: 06-19-2018KC does better in inclusion then a lot of places I've visited and lived in the startup ecosystem but there is absolutely a ton of room to do much better. Would love to see this happen in KC!
John C.
On: 06-19-2018Kansas City has the potential to take this opportunity and make the most of it. Through the number of organizations, community experts/advocates/connectors, and our need to bridge the gaps between communities... this could be glue that brings more structure to inclusivity and success to the community.
Eze
On: 06-19-2018I think there is a true commitment to helping innovate new forms of economic development from that city perspective, and knowing the city, I think they have the ability to scale methods that work into national models with the Kauffman Foundation being involved as well
Rhonda Atkins
On: 06-19-2018The diversity, central location, existing support structure, and low cost of living here in KC make this a no brainier. #siliconprairie for tue win!
Karen Randolph Rogers
On: 06-19-2018Karen Randolph Rogers
Elisabeth
On: 06-19-2018I love that my hometown is doing this. Great job, Mayor Sly.
Mark Runge
On: 06-19-2018KC has a long history of helping Minority-owned businesses through the City's MBE/WBE program and for helping small local businesses through our SLBE (Small Local Business Enterprise) Program. The City has also established relationships with Lead Bank for small business loans and with Cornerstone Companies for bonding.
Mary
On: 06-19-2018KC has a long history of successful entrepreneurs who influenced food, fashion, technology, entertainment and the arts at regional, national and international levels. We say goodbye to one of those influencers this week as she is remembered in our hometown- Katherine Noel Brosnahan.
Kate Hodel
On: 06-19-2018Kansas City can build on a networked community of resources to advance entrepreneurship in disadvantaged communities.
Barbara
On: 06-19-2018Excellent opportunity for minorities.
Barbara
On: 06-19-2018Kansas City is a City with lots of opportunities, and growing and new businesses will benefit from the accelerated program. Excellent opportunity for people of color.
Jenny Miller
On: 06-19-2018What a great opportunity for inclusive entrepreneurship!
John Pajor
On: 06-19-2018The City Accelerator will strengthen the network of resources for entrepreneurs in Kansas City and enhance the economic vitality of the community.
Andrea Dorch
On: 06-19-2018Absolutely innovative!
Kyle J Smith
On: 06-19-2018Kansas City is a great place to start a business (plus live, work, play & dream.) Let's make it even better!
Bob Bennett
On: 06-19-2018KCMO has great entrepreneurial support systems, a fantastic digital foundation for company growth and a growing talent base focused on 21st Century careers. The Heart of America is the natural choice for companies that want to be at the heart of the next great business innovation region.
Michael Pinkley
On: 06-19-2018This is our future, it's a global goal. Accept the challenge!
Davin
On: 06-19-2018KC is creating community around its ecosystem.
Kevin
On: 06-19-2018Kansas City has really made great strides to support entrepreneurship over the past decade or so. Now, we have a lot of good people committed to making sure our community facilitates the effort and ingenuity of *everyone* who has a great idea and the industry to make it real, but also needs access to the supports and the knowledge to do it right.
Gerald Smith
On: 06-19-2018KC has fantastic momentum right now and this opportunity will go a long way toward inclusivity and better access for all. #back2KC
Graham
On: 06-19-2018Love what KC is doing!
Anonymous
On: 06-19-2018Awesome!