Network Kansas

09/01/2026

Are you ready for Launch Week?

We're excited to spend another year celebrating Kansas's entrepreneurial spirit in Wichita with the small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs that make Kansas strong.

See the Schedule: https://bit.ly/4wXo60U

The 2026 Launch Week schedule is officially LIVE!

From September 14–18, entrepreneurs from across Kansas will come together in Wichita for five days of learning, connection and opportunities to move their businesses forward.

With sessions covering everything from marketing and sales to funding, AI, technology, branding and growth, there’s something for every stage of the entrepreneurial journey.

📍 Wichita, Kansas
📅 September 14–18, 2026

Explore the full schedule and register for the sessions that fit your business:
itslaunchweek.com/events

Come for a session. Stay for the connections. Leave with something you can put to work!

08/28/2026

Way to go, Kansas! The Sunflower State is climbing Midwest Startups' rankings 🌻

See the rankings:

Discover the top Midwest cities for startups in our 2026 Best of the Midwest: Startup City Rankings. Our annual rankings analyze startup activity, capital access and business climate across 50+ cities using 25 data-driven metrics. See which ecosystems are rising, holding or falling.

08/25/2026

What are eCommunities?

Kansas counties, districts or regions that have made entrepreneurship a central part of their economic development strategy. Through our eCommunity Partnership Program, we work hand-in-hand with local leaders to build these five key components:

1️⃣ Local Leadership Team
2️⃣ Financial Review Board
3️⃣ Local Revolving Loan Fund
4️⃣ eProgramming
5️⃣ Technical Assistance

Today, 82 community partnerships span the state, each one working to strengthen local entrepreneurship.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4gg0jnX

08/24/2026

Welcome to the eCommunity, Driving Dickinson County!

Network Kansas' eCommunity Partnership Program serves as a catalyst for sustainable economic development in communities across Kansas. Achieving this designation means "Dickinson County is making a deliberate decision to put entrepreneurship at the center of its economic development strategy,” said Erik Pedersen, Network Kansas President & Chief Operating Officer.

“It is significant because it creates a coordinated system for helping local entrepreneurs start, grow and stay in Dickinson County.”

Dickinson County is putting its Network Kansas eCommunity designation into action with new tools for financing, entrepreneurship, youth programs and local business growth.

08/21/2026

13 years and counting! 🎉

Tiffany joined Network Kansas in 2013 as a part-time referral coordinator. Today, she's the Director of our Impact Investment Center, helping entrepreneurs across Kansas access the resources and relationships they need to grow.

She said that connecting with entrepreneurs and partners is what makes her work so meaningful.

Happy anniversary, Tiffany!

08/20/2026

In July, Network Kansas and our partners helped support 11 businesses across Kansas with $728,900 in funding. Special thanks to our partners, who play such an important role in connecting entrepreneurs to flexible funding opportunities and valuable resources.

🔗 See the businesses that received funding: https://bit.ly/3S6mCCX

Photo courtesy of Best Cellars, Wine, Books & Gifts in Dodge City, KS

08/17/2026

Eleven new cross-sector project teams are gearing up to make bold changes in their communities after being awarded Network Kansas' Networked Community Solutions Grants.

Over the past five years, we've partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas to award $460,000, bringing our total number of projects funded to 50.

We're excited to see these projects move forward, each one poised to create momentum for lasting change.

Meet the teams: https://bit.ly/4bT4hQK

08/14/2026

Over two days in Manhattan, Network Kansas' partners, entrepreneurs, eCommunities and more came together from across the state to connect and learn at KEYS 2026.

Attendees chose their own paths through various content tracks designed to help them innovate and grow, leaving with practical takeaways to implement in their businesses and communities right away.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this Summit something special!

08/11/2026

That’s a wrap on KEYS 2026!

Two days, dozens of communities, and a room full of people who showed up ready to learn, connect and champion entrepreneurship in Kansas. We covered business growth, community building, equity, and more, and we celebrated the work happening in towns across our state.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. KEYS 2026 was one for the books because of you.

08/11/2026

KEYS 2026 Day #1 is in the books!

The room was full, the energy was high, and Kansas entrepreneurs and community leaders are here for it. Jon Schallert kicked off the day with a keynote on the New Rules of Business Success, then it was straight into breakouts on youth entrepreneurship, makerspaces and more.

Tomorrow, Deb Brown of SaveYour Town takes the keynote stage. More from KEYS soon!