The UMKC Innovation Center unlocks the potential of entrepreneurship
by helping people turn their ideas and innovations into ventures
that shape an economy of hope.

Technology Venture Studio

A pipeline for innovation and technology commercialization.

Entrepreneurial Education

From concept to maturity, a continuum of business-building services and education.

Ecosystem Development

The connection to entrepreneur resources and regional ecosystem development.

Global Expansion

Tools and consulting to fuel entrepreneurship-led economic development nationwide.

Entrepreneurship sparks innovation, drives economic mobility and fuels economic prosperity. The UMKC Innovation Center works across the university and the community to connect, support, sustain and empower entrepreneurial efforts within our region and across the country.

Learn about our efforts

Entrepreneurship across the UMKC campus

Learn about opportunities for students to gain experiences in entrepreneurship and innovation.

The UMKC Innovation Center helps advance entrepreneurship through the following programs.

BoardMatch

Introduces founders looking for active board members to community and corporate experts who are interested in helping startups grow.

CapitalMatch

Offers a private, informal way for investors to learn about early-stage deals and entrepreneurs to seek early-stage funding.

Digital Sandbox KC

Supports early-stage commercialization with proof-of-concept grant funding.

ELEVATIONLAB

Primes existing business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs for success with a suite of expert-led courses and workshops.

Global Entrepreneurship Week – Kansas City

Celebrates the region’s doers, dreamers and makers with five days of classes, workshops, panels, keynotes and fun.

Growth360

Arms business owners with a 360-degree perspective and a framework to pave the path toward scaling.

KCInvestED

Connects investors in the Kansas City area with resources, events, tools and other investors to learn more about investing in early-stage companies.

KCSourceLink

Connects entrepreneurs to resources, mentors, funding, education, events and more in the KC metro.

Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center

Helps businesses obtain federal, state and local government contracts, all in a single place.

Missouri Small Business Development Center at UMKC

Provides a continuum of business-building coaching and education, from business concept through maturity.

MOSourceLink

Connects entrepreneurs to resources, mentors, funding, education, events and more across Missouri.

MU Extension Business Development

Provides technical assistance to businesses throughout the state of Missouri.

Regnier Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Inspires and nurtures entrepreneurs and innovators through transformational education, research and programs.

Visit the Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

SBIR/STTR Consulting

Learn to find grants, apply and strategies to gain funding for growing technology business.

ScaleUP! Kansas City

Helps established business owners prime their operations to scale with expert coaching, innovative curriculum and an expanding peer network.

Show Me Capital

Reports on how the MOSourceLink network is helping improve access to capital for Missouri entrepreneurs.

Show Me Jobs

Reports on the economic impact of Missouri’s entrepreneurs and their startups and new businesses.

SourceLink

Leverages a consulting and technology platform to help communities nationwide develop impactful entrepreneurial ecosystems.

UMKC TalentLink

Powers regional prosperity by connecting individuals and organizations with professional development experiences.

Urban Business Growth Initiative

Boosts entrepreneurship in the urban core of Kansas City, Missouri, with scholarships to a suite of courses that help entrepreneurs start and grow businesses.

We Create Capital

Reports on how KC is improving access to capital and building a continuum of funding resources.

We Create Jobs

Reports the economic impact of KC’s startups and new business owners.

We Create KC

Explores the state of entrepreneurship in Kansas City with research, impact analysis, interactive data and entrepreneur stories.

Whiteboard2Boardroom

Sparks tomorrow’s innovations by connecting entrepreneurs and established businesses to nextgen technologies.

Recent News

KCSourceLink

What’s in Store for the Future of Kansas City Entrepreneurship?

Read on KCSourceLink ›

Technology Venture Studio

3 Trailblazing Startups Join Digital Sandbox KC for Mentoring, Connections and Project Funding

Read on Technology Venture Studio ›

Startland News

KC is creating jobs like never before; here’s what’s behind the surge (hint: it’s small biz hiring)

Read on Startland News ›

Startland News

Report: Missouri startups continue hiring surge, creating 40K+ jobs in every corner of the state

Read on Startland News ›

Startland News

Digital Sandbox KC secures $450K to support startups’ prototyping, proof-of-concept needs

Read on Startland News ›

Technology Venture Studio

Jeff Blackwood Joins the UMKC Innovation Center as Commercialization Ecosystem Director

Read on Technology Venture Studio ›