Network Kansas

10/20/2026

“Digital Ready gave me the tools to keep moving forward.” – Yudy Carrera

Though she had the drive to start her business, Yudy Carrera quickly realized that to truly succeed, she needed more knowledge.

Then she found Digital Ready, a free program that helped her learn skills in finance, digital marketing and more. Now her catering company, Events By Yudy, is thriving.

Have you taken advantage of Digital Ready’s expert-led workshops, peer networking or self-paced courses? Sign up for an October event: Link in Story.

10/16/2026

Congratulations Hair of the Dog Cafe & Bar, a Network Kansas GrowKS loan recipient! The Lawrence business is preparing to open in November.

GrowKS provides equity and loans funded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative.

Longtime pet lovers are bringing an after-hours urgent care clinic for cats and dogs, plus a dog bar and cafe with adoptable pups, to Lawrence.

10/15/2026

“During his tenure, Network Kansas grew to become not just a source of resources and partnership, but critical infrastructure for our community,” said Melissa Roberts Chapman, president of KC BioHub and a longtime collaborator through numerous Kansas-focused entrepreneur support organizations.

Network Kansas announced that CEO Steve Radley will be passing the torch to longtime collaborator and current COO Erik Pederson next year.

Read more from Startland News.

With the duo starting their jobs at Network Kansas just two weeks apart, Erik Pedersen feels like a co-founder, said Steve Radley. Now, 21 years later, the organization’s first employee is preparing to depart, leaving his longtime friend and colleague to step into the top role.

10/14/2026

Network Kansas's GrowKS loan and equity programs provide equity and loans funded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative. Overseen by the Kansas Department of Commerce and Network Kansas, these programs offer a variety of match amounts of up to $1 million in support of business growing a stronger Kansas economy.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4z1WER8

10/13/2026

Don’t forget that Digital Ready’s $10,000 small business grant opportunities are open now, part of over $1M in total funding available this year from Verizon Small Business Digital Ready. You only have to apply once to remain eligible all year, so there’s never been a better time to sign up for courses and submit an application.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3UGALI7

10/09/2026

Becca Sweaney, eCommunity and Entrepreneurship Advisor for the South-Central Region, is celebrating two years with Network Kansas!

As a small business owner in Caney, Kansas, Becca brings firsthand experience to her role connecting entrepreneurs and small business owners with resources, funding opportunities and support programs. She enjoys helping rural communities strengthen their local economies, foster connections and encourage entrepreneurship.

Help us celebrate Becca!

10/08/2026

Over the past five years, Network Kansas, in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, has awarded $460,000 to 50 projects making bold changes in their community through the Networked Community Solutions Grant.

🎉 Exciting news — SENT Inc. has been awarded a Networked Community Solutions Grant through Network Kansas!

This grant will support a project called Documenting and Scaling the SENT Community Model: Food Access as a Catalyst for Community Transformation — and we could not be more grateful for this investment.

Here is what this project is about:

The Southside Filling Station is more than a food pantry. Rooted in a "neighbors helping neighbors" approach, SENT uses food access as a trusted entry point for relationship-building, coordinated support, and long-term systems change. This grant will allow us — alongside our partners — to document that model and share it with communities across Kansas and beyond.

Our project partners include:

🎓 KU Center for Public Partnership (KU-CPPR) — reviewing data, conducting interviews with staff, volunteers, and partners, and helping produce public-facing deliverables
🌾 Hunger Free Kansas — providing statewide food access context
🤝 Legacy Regional Community Foundation — supporting regional learning and philanthropic engagement

Together, we will produce a designed report, one-page summary, press release, and presentation tools for Kansas communities, food access partners, funders, civic leaders, and public health stakeholders.

Thank you to Network Kansas and the Networked Partnership for Community Investment for believing that what is happening in SE Topeka is worth documenting — and worth sharing. We believe the SENT model can create momentum for transformational change in communities far beyond Hi-Crest. This grant helps make that possible. 💙

🔗 Learn more about Network Kansas at networkkansas.com

SENT Inc. | Strengthening & Equipping Neighbors Together
Contact us! 📲 (785) 783-2535 | 📧 [email protected]

10/06/2026

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is a free program with resources and learning that can really impact your business, including expert-led workshops and self-paced courses on a variety of topics like marketing, finances and more.

Sign up for an event this October: Link in Story.

10/02/2026

Juan Cancino, Venture Platform Coordinator, is celebrating four years with Network Kansas!

Juan supports our eGrowth Ventures team with data management, due diligence, and sourcing investment deals.

Prior to joining eGrowth Ventures, he worked as a Product Manager and Senior Product Manager with Network Kansas's Impact Investment Center, where he helped connect entrepreneurs to the resources they needed.

Help us celebrate Juan!