Missouri SBDC at UMKC

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Missouri SBDC at UMKC Small Business Administration. Our experienced and dedicated staff is a mix of current and former business owners, executives and coaches.
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Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UMKC is Kansas City’s leading resource for growing and developing businesses and is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. An affiliate of UMKC’s Office of Research and Economic Development and the Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Center, the UMKC SBTDC program is part of a nationwide network of SBTDC programs. The Center was founded to provide small businesses and technology venture firms in the Kansas City region with the analysis, training, and guidance they need to confidently grow and develop. Most important, they are partners in shaping the future of your business. They provide knowledge and expertise in the areas of consulting, management, finance, marketing, technology ventures, international trade, retail, accounting, strategic planning and more. They are passionate about the work they do and have a proven track record in giving sound advice for developing small businesses. Follow us on Twitter . Cover photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zachwerner/

Feeling left behind as a small business wanting to use AI to help you grow, compete and manage your business? You and yo...
10/27/2026

Feeling left behind as a small business wanting to use AI to help you grow, compete and manage your business? You and your employees can earn the Google AI Professional Certificate for free. Learn AI skills to streamline tasks, sharpen strategy, and get more done.

What does the training involve?

• 7 courses featuring hands-on practice with tools such as Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and Google Workspace

What does the certificate offer?

• A credential that clients can put to work immediately. Completers also receive three months of free Google AI Pro and Google Workspace Business Standard, real, usable tools for businesses.

What businesses are eligible?

• To qualify, your business must have 500 employees or less and possess a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN). These scholarships are intended to help local businesses upskill their workforce and remain competitive by adopting essential AI skills through the Google AI training available on Coursera. See FAQs at https://grow.google/ai-for-small-businesses/.

How do I sign up?

• Enroll via Grow with Google's AI for Small Businesses page: https://grow.google/ai-for-small-businesses/

• Click "Sign up now", then “Sign up at no cost”, and complete the Coursera business registration form with their business details.

• On the field “Which partner referred you to this program?” select “America’s Small Business Development Centers”. This will display a new field at the bottom: “What is the SBDC that referred you?”

• On the form, clients answer "What is the SBDC center that referred you?" and you must enter Missouri SBDC at UMKC-Kansas City.

Congratulations to our Missouri SBDC State Star, Joel Barrett! This is an incredible achievement and very well-deserved ...
09/28/2026

Congratulations to our Missouri SBDC State Star, Joel Barrett! This is an incredible achievement and very well-deserved to the recipient. Thank you for all of your hard work, Joel!

09/24/2026
Seeking research and development funding through federal programs for a technology-based business?  Don't look to the sk...
09/15/2026

Seeking research and development funding through federal programs for a technology-based business? Don't look to the skies.

Two programs can help with the pathway from R&D to commercialization: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). Missouri SBDC at UMKC offers a workshop on Oct. 6 on how to win federal research grants.

Participants learn how to identify relevant grant opportunities, understand program requirements, and navigate the application process.

Need to strengthen a proposal to complete in these highly selective funding programs? Learn best practices to improve your proposal.

Numerous Kansas City–area companies have successfully funded their research through SBIR and STTR grants. Learn how the process works.

Apply for the workshop by Oct. 2nd. https://sbdc.umkc.edu/event/winning-federal-research-grants/

09/08/2026

“A lot of the community … they won’t believe that there’s resources that are free for them,” said Citlali Valdez Dominguez. “They always think, ‘Where’s the catch? What do I have to do?’”

09/02/2026

The Challenge
Without sufficient investment capital, entrepreneurs and startup founders face the hurdle of how to further develop a product or platform or grow a business.

What You Can Do
Pitching investors is a learned skill you can develop to enhance the likelihood of securing funding.

Who Can Help
Michele Weigand, managing partner of Focused Perspective, leads Pitching to Investors designed for entrepreneurs who want to better understand how to present their business to potential investors.

Time to Invest in Yourself
Register by Sept. 19. Course begins Sept. 23, 4:30-7 PM. https://sbdc.umkc.edu/event/pitching-to-investors-7/

What You'll Learn
• Core components of an effective investor pitch

• How to clearly communicate the value of a product or service

• Describe your target market

• Explain competitive advantages

The Outcome
Gain practical guidance, clearer expectations, and greater confidence when preparing to pitch to investors.

Address

4747 Troost Avenue, Ste 104A
Kansas City, MO
64110

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