Annual Report FY25 by Network Kansas

FY 2025 Annual Report

The Kansas Economic Growth Act (KEGA) established the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship, dba Network Kansas 2004

2005

Network Kansas’ first employees, Steve Radley and Erik Pedersen, are hired

2006

Referral Center (now IIC) and first loan program, StartUp Kansas are launched

Networked for Change debuted virtual convenings, conference, and grants

Capital Multiplier fund, SSBCI 1.0, created in partnership with Kansas Commerce

eCommunity Partnership created

2007

Kansas Community Investment Fund (KCIF) launched

Network Kansas awarded SSBCI 2.0 contract in partnership with Kansas Commerce

2011 2019 2020

Network Kansas celebrates its 20th year with a strategic focus and rebrand

Behind the Rebrand

The Logo

Network Kansas’ brand story is one of connection, based in the belief that networks can help grow Kansas businesses. Through a statewide network of business-building resources, Network Kansas doesn’t just help entrepreneurs and small businesses survive — it helps them thrive.

The Network Kansas logo elements come together to form a perfect star, relating back to the stars on the Kansas flag as well as the State motto, “ad astra, per aspera,” translated as “to the stars, through adversity.” The elements of each point of the star represent the people that Network Kansas seeks to connect. Each figure is a different color, symbolizing the diversity of businesses, backgrounds, and people found within Kansas. When these figures overlap, they create a strong and unified core of the logo, representing the strength that connections provide to entrepreneurs and small businesses.

As an organization continuously growing and searching for new connections, the unfinished star in the bottom right represents the potential of a new member joining Network Kansas as a partner or as an entrepreneur. Then Now

Brand Strategy

Our brand strategy is designed to create clarity, consistency, and connection across all of Network Kansas. With multiple business units serving different audiences, it was important to develop a system that both honors the strength of the parent brand and gives each sub-brand its own distinct identity. This unified approach ensures that whether entrepreneurs, partners, or community leaders encounter Network Kansas, they immediately recognize the shared mission and values behind every program.

By aligning our visual identity and naming structure, we strengthen the trust and credibility of the Network Kansas brand while making it easier for audiences to navigate the wide range of resources we offer. This strategy not only supports clearer communication but also helps reinforce the impact of our collective work across Kansas, including our sub-brands: eGrowth Ventures, GrowKS, eCommunity Partnership, and Networked.

Each sub-brand is assigned a specific color from the Network Kansas brand palette to help differentiate and identify each mark.

Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures has been renamed to eGrowth Ventures (eGV) and E-Community Partnership has been renamed to eCommunity Partnership (eCP) to remain consistent with the brand strategy. The “e” in each name represents “entrepreneurship.”

Israel Luna, Owner of Las Hefas Latin Cuisine, Hays GrowKS Loan Recipient

The Website

We’ve invested in a new website to better reflect our evolving business model and meet the growing needs of the communities we serve. This updated platform enhances accessibility, streamlines navigation, and clearly showcases the full scope of our services, making it easier for entrepreneurs, partners, and stakeholders to find the information and support they need.

Social Media

As part of our ongoing efforts to support entrepreneurs, we’ve shifted our focus toward more direct engagement through our digital platforms. This evolution includes a greater emphasis on storytelling, resources, and real-time interaction designed specifically for entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. With the introduction of Instagram to our social media lineup, we’re creating new opportunities to connect, inspire, and share the stories of entrepreneurs in Kansas.

Myala Wright, Co-Creator of Cap Creations, LLC, Overland Park GrowKS Equity Recipient

The 4th Annual Networked for Change Conference brought nearly 200 Kansans together to discuss the shared theme of “Partnering With a Purpose.” The conference, in its fourth year, included a pre-conference mixer with attendees from more than 40 cities across the state of Kansas. The speaker lineup featured more than 50 presenters and facilitators covering topics including entrepreneurship support, access to capital, healthy food, kitchen incubators, youth engagement and programming, community development, community assessment, financial resources and more.

“Attending the Networked for Change Conference gave me access to numerous valuable resources that will help me better support local farmers in growing their businesses,” said Dr. Jen Kern, Executive Director of the Border Queen Harvest Hub in Caldwell. “I discovered tools and connections I didn’t even know existed—resources that will make a real difference in our community.”

Kern co-presented on the Kansas Healthy Food Initiative and kitchen incubators, a new topic introduced to conference-goers in 2025.

Raquel Arellano, Director of Entrepreneurship for Seward County Development Corp., in

Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace

Liberal commanded the morning keynote presentation by Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, President & CEO of the Kauffman Foundation, who presented on the topic: “Partner with Purpose: Power of Collective Impact.”

“My takeaway was when Dr. Burns-Wallace reminded us that it is okay to ask for a pause, that it isn’t weakness it’s being self-aware,” Arellano said. “Thank you for that reminder and permission to just enjoy the journey I am on.”

Networked is an initiative of Network Kansas meant to help connect unconnected networks and close gaps between people, information and assets to develop pathways that boldly solve community challenges. Since launching in 2021, Networked has engaged more than 1,000 Kansans through in-person, virtual convenings and the grant.

For Sarah Jane Crespo, Events and Engagement Manager, Kansas Health Foundation, a final key takeaway included a sense of hope. “I think I’m just kind of feeling more hopeful; hopeful for the future of Kansas and individuals who live here and for everyone to be able to find ways to make a greater difference with the gifts that they have,” Crespo said.

Community Solutions Grant

The Networked Conference also kicked off the 2025 application period for the Networked Community Solutions Grant. The grant pool of $100,000 provides either $5,000 or $10,000 for approved collaborative, multi-sector project teams to catalyze short-term projects. The 2025 grant period is the fourth cycle of this funding initiative.

2024-2025 Grant Projects

Projects below include the organization that served as the lead applicant on the project.

World Peace Wichita Riordan Clinic

Paint the Town Harvey County

Voter Engagement

Sunflower Community Action

Yuma Street Cultural Center Launch

Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills

MixMaster2024 Music Conference

Creative Alliance dba Lawrence Music Alliance

Affordable Housing Development

HOPE-CDC

Pitch Your Porch Graham County

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Mural Legacy Regional Community Foundation

Building a Family Friendly Future: A Local Civic Action Guide Thrive Kansas

Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC)

Kansas State University

Scan to access the conference recap video

eCommunity Partnership created 2007

2008

The first eCommunity Partnership loan was for $45,000 to a contracting business

Our founders recognized early on that every community is unique, and so are its needs. By tailoring solutions to fit each community, resources could be put to work where they make the greatest impact. This personalized approach would not only drive meaningful, lasting economic change, but also empower local leaders, organizations, and entrepreneurs.

2014

The first Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge was held in Bird City and Rawlins County. The first state competition would be held two years later.

2024

The eCommunity Partnership reached the milestone of 1,000 loans administered

years of partnership

The eCommunity Partnership funded 11 businesses during the first fiscal year

$322k loaned $35.2M loaned 1 program 45 programs Then Now

Growing Rural Businesses (GRB) became the first entrepreneurship program offered in the Kiowa County eCommunity in 2012

6 eCommunities

Rawlins, Thomas, Cowley, and Anderson Counties, Great Bend and Sterling/Alden were the first communities to join the eCommunity Partnership

Now in its 18th year, the eCommunity Partnership has funded 1,080 businesses

Our roster has grown to 45 entrepreneurship programs statewide, targeting startup, existing, transition, and youth entrepreneurs

75 eCommunities

The eCommunity Partnership is organized into six regions overseen by advisors and Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs)

Spotlighting eCommunities

Montgomery County

Elements of a thriving eCommunity

1. Vision

2. Drive

Montgomery County exemplifies the three traits of a thriving eCommunity. Their connections to the program can be traced back to 2006, when Jim Correll, creator of the Innovative Business Resource Center (IBRC), attended one of the first town hall meetings hosted by Network Kansas. Montgomery County has been an eCommunity since 2013.

IBRC’s approach of using an experienced, personal touch to connect businesses with essential financial resource and entrepreneurship programs helped accelerate engagement in the Montgomery County eCommunity. The program has provided more than $2 million in gap financing to more than 50 businesses. IBRC boasts one of the most resilient eCommunity portfolios in the state, with below-average delinquency rates and above-average businesses that have paid off their loans in full.

3. Capacity

Perhaps the best explanation for the significant number of successful entrepreneurs in Montgomery County is IBRC’s own entrepreneurial efforts, including a partnership with Network Kansas to raise funds through the Entrepreneurship Tax Credit. In the past five years, IBRC has received more than $230,000 in partner grant funds to help equip entrepreneurs. The IBRC-Network Kansas partnership has enabled businesses to gain the knowledge, talent, and capital they need to succeed. The result is a resilient business network, providing community and economic benefits to Montgomery County.

IBRC’s use of the tax credit partnership created a strong foundation for providing essential financial resources, valuable relationships, expert knowledge, and experience to Montgomery County entrepreneurs for years to come.

Montgomery County Programs

Pioneered the Maker Space Bootcamp

Offered the Entrepreneurial Mindset class

Hosted the SE Kansas Foodpreneur Bootcamp

Funded entrepreneurs to attend Destination Bootcamp

Launched the Life Skills Academy

Hali Schultheiss (center) opened Brio Med Spa & Wellness in Independence after taking part in the Entrepreneurial Mindset class. Schultheiss is pictured with her staff, Lauren and Monique.

and

From left to right:

Laura Schaid with Life Skills Academy

Jim Correll with IBRC

Lauren Rinck, Hali Schultheiss, and Monique with Brio Med Spa

Janet Miller and Steve Radley with Network Kansas

Jim Correll (left), Innovative Business Resource Center, Montgomery County

Phillip Fienen, Founder

President of MPAC Aviation Services LLC, commissioned a mural (above) to add color and pride to downtown Independence.

Cloud County

Our eCommunity partners in Cloud County have found practical ways to spread resources amongst entrepreneurs in their communities. CloudCorp, the county’s economic development agency, has been able to route a host of resources and funding to entrepreneurs in every single township in the county.

Originally formed in 1956 to combine numerous economic development groups in Concordia, Clyde, Miltonvale, Glasco and Jamestown, CloudCorp focuses on three main pillars of community development: economic development, child care, and housing. Beyond businesses, CloudCorp has partnerships with surrounding educational institutions, municipalities, chambers of commerce, and local leaders in banking.

“The small towns in C loud County are very proud of their communities.”

but the quality of life in the county. Thriving businesses and local partnerships have helped local cultural traditions endure and grow. For example, Steve James, owner and operator of Clyde Ideal Market, which is supported by CloudCorp and Network Kansas, continues to host the Largest Watermelon Contest weigh-in at his store. The event is part of the town’s annual Watermelon Festival, now in its 126th year.

— Tim Beims Executive Director, CloudCorp

The network of stakeholders makes it possible for the organization and its board to make thoughtful decisions when funding projects that not only impact entrepreneurs,

Clyde, KS

Population: 669

Tim Beims, Executive Director at Cloud Corp explained that the key to supporting each community has been active inclusion and collaboration. A representative from each town holds a position on CloudCorp’s board and are encouraged to share information on what’s available to their towns.

Tim emphasized one of the main factors in the county’s economic growth: “The small towns in Cloud County are very proud of their communities, and they are progressive minded in terms of not just maintaining their culture, but enhancing it and growing it.”

Rod Imhoff, owner of Concordia Ice, restocks ice at Clyde Ideal Market with store owner Steve James. The store was first opened in the 1940s by Lloyd Odgers. James purchased the store in 2019.

Concordia, KS

Population: 4,926

Kourtni Hittle (co-owner, Altius Awards and Apparel) and Derrick Hittle (co-owner, Little Miss B Sweets) represent their conjoined family-owned businesses in Concordia, both supported by CloudCorp.

Key Resource Partner

Capital Access Center

For many Kansas entrepreneurs, the biggest hurdle isn’t a lack of ideas or drive, it’s access to capital. That’s where Network Kansas joins the Capital Access Center (CAC), a statewide initiative of the Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Based in Salina, longtime banker Alan Eichelberger of the Kansas SBDC CAC helps small business owners prepare for and secure financing. With more than 40 years of experience in lending, Al understands how daunting the process can feel for entrepreneurs in communities like Cloud County. He walks step by step with business owners, reviewing financials, exploring loan options, and packaging deals that give them the best chance of approval.

Through its close partnership with Network Kansas, the CAC connects entrepreneurs to

the full range of resources available, such as a traditional bank loan, a local eCommunity fund, or one of Network Kansas’ statewide gap financing programs. By blending these tools together, the CAC and Network Kansas help turn a “maybe” into a “yes” for business owners across the western half of the state.

Al’s localized and expert touch means that entrepreneurs are getting free, expert guidance, to ensure they have a fair shot at the capital they need to succeed. Together, Network Kansas and the Capital Access Center are building bridges between ideas and opportunity, fueling growth in communities statewide.

Manhattan, KS

Population: 54,700

ePartners are entrepreneurship support organizations (ESOs) that serve the state’s urban population centers.

““Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills is proof that urban entrepreneurship thrives when partners understand and reflect local culture. Their integrated approach – business coaching backed by mental health support, access to capital, and cultural engagement – shows how empowering underrepresented founders accelerates growth and equity in Kansas cities.”

—Erik Pedersen Chief Operating Officer, Network Kansas

Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills ePartner Spotlight

Network Kansas ePartners are vital in building vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystems across the state’s urban centers. One standout example is the Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills (BEFH), based in Manhattan. They serve as proof that urban innovation isn’t limited to metro giants. BEFH supports hundreds of black and minority-owned businesses across Riley, Geary, and Pottawatomie counties, providing culturally responsive coaching, capital access, and community support.

Founded in 2021 by Sheila Ellis Glasper and Jermain Glasper, BEFH emerged from the founders’ own hurdles in accessing capital and mentorship for their social media and branding firm, SEG Media Collective. Out of those challenges came a mission: narrow the racial wealth gap by empowering entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses. BEFH’s action plan builds an educational continuum for entrepreneurs in their system.

One of BEFH’s signature programs is Grind & Growth, a monthly workshop series focused on mindset, money, and marketing. Network Kansas proudly supports this program, which has grown to become a hub for learning, connection, and visibility for local entrepreneurs. More recently, BEFH launched an innovative mental wellness initiative, offering therapy as a form of technical assistance. Through partnerships and grant support, BEFH has provided over 170 therapy sessions to entrepreneurs in its first year alone.

When Kriscendra Baptiste, the founder of a rural in-home care agency, didn’t win a pitch competition hosted by BEFH, she expected disappointment. Instead, Sheila Ellis-Glasper and her team followed up the next day with technical assistance. They helped her secure insurance and licensing; connected her with a credit repair grant; and ensured she had the transportation needed to serve her clients in rural areas. When stress became overwhelming, Kriscendra enrolled in the BEFH mental wellness program. That holistic support gave her the tools to heal, lead and grow.

The work wouldn’t be possible without strong partnerships. A Kansas Health Foundation grant supports wellness programming and technical assistance. Through a longstanding relationship with Network Kansas, BEFH’s Commerce Uplift has helped unlock capital access through eCommunity grant and loan eligibility across the Flint Hills region.

BEFH is more than a service provider, it’s a movement. One that sees entrepreneurs not just for what they’re building, but for who they are. Together with Network Kansas, BEFH is changing the face of entrepreneurship in the Flint Hills and beyond — one workshop, one wellness session, and one business at a time.

Andrea Young (left) and BEFH founder Sheila Ellis Glasper (right) with entrepreneur Brittany Fielder (center) from Britt’s Real Estate Services.

years of funding

The first loan given through Network Kansas was in 2007. 4 businesses were funded in the first year

$165k loaned $10.8M loaned 1 loan program 6 loan programs Then Now

In FY25, we funded 177 businesses

Number of Loans & Total Loaned Per FY

The Evolution of our

Funding Programs

Network Kansas launched its first matching loan program, StartUp Kansas 2006

This program partnered with local and regional service providers and banks to provide matching gap financing funds to entrepreneurs in rural and distressed Kansas communities

Capital Multiplier fund, SSBCI 1.0, created in partnership with Kansas Commerce

Kansas Community Investment Fund (KCIF) launched in partnership with the Kansas Health Foundation

Network Kansas received the SSBCI 2.0 contract in partnership with Kansas Commerce and launched the GrowKS loan and equity programs

Cimarron, KS

Population: 1,977

Through the support of the Small Business Development Center and Network Kansas, The Bake Shoppe and Downtown Coffeehouse received funding to renovate and offer a new community “third space”.

The Bake Shoppe and Downtown Coffeehouse GrowKS Spotlight

Along Highway 50 in Cimarron, two businesses, The Bake Shoppe and Downtown Coffeehouse, have become more than just places to grab a coffee or scone. They’ve grown into a beloved “third place” for locals, commuters, and travelers alike, thanks to the Sommers family’s dedication and the strong sense of community they’ve helped cultivate.

The Bake Shoppe began humbly in 2007, when Nancy Sommers and a friend started selling baked goods on Friday afternoons in front of their local grocery store.

opportunity to open a brick-and-mortar shop at 108 S. Main Street.

“We both said, ‘This’ll probably only last six months,’” Nancy said, remembering the thoughts she and her husband Keith shared after taking Rodger up on the offer. Instead, their fresh-made baked goods quickly became a mainstay in the community.

These kinds of businesses create places where people can belong, connect, and take pride in where they live.

Two years later, Nancy began offering her baked goods at farmer’s markets in Cimarron and nearby towns. Rodger Davis, a family friend, saw the potential in their family business and in 2019, offered the Sommers an

In November 2020, Jayden Sommers, son of Nancy and Keith, added a new layer to the family business by turning his passion for coffee into a full-fledged venture. What began as The Bake Shoppe lobby has since grown into Downtown Coffeehouse, which he now runs with his wife, Marlene. There they roast beans in-house and share their blends with shops and households.

“The Bake Shoppe and Downtown Coffee House did all of the heavy lifting to bring their dreams to life. I simply supported them along the way.”

Lea Ann Seiler, Network Kansas

During the COVID-19 pandemic, they offered frozen takeaway meals while Jayden roasted and bagged coffee, helping both businesses survive uncertainty. By 2024, their shared space at 108 S. Main could no longer keep up with demand. The Bake Shoppe filled over 700 pie orders during Thanksgiving week alone! A larger, more functional location became essential. When a new retail space opened nearby, the Sommers family seized the opportunity to expand. With support from longtime friends and community partners like Steve Burns (USDA), Al Eichelberger (SBDC), and Lea Ann Seiler (Network Kansas) a proposal was submitted for approval in Dodge City. The businesses received both a GrowKS Loan (up to $100,000) and an eCommunity Loan (up to $50,000) through Network Kansas. The renovation plans quickly took shape.

In May 2025, The Bake Shoppe and Downtown Coffeehouse opened their new separate but conjoined storefronts at 100 and 102 S. Main. The updated locations not only improved visibility and foot traffic, but also provided guests with easy flow between

both businesses. “We get a lot of traffic from Garden and Dodge because we’re right along US-50, for sure now that we’ve moved here to the corner. When we were farther down, people didn’t know we existed,” said Marlene Sommers, reflecting on the impact of the move. Today, locals gather for Bible studies, casual meetups, and spontaneous conversations over cinnamon rolls and espresso.

The Bake Shoppe and Downtown Coffeehouse serve as important cornerstones for the heart of community in towns like Cimarron, where a sense of belonging is ingrained. These businesses create places where people can belong, connect, and take pride in where they live. The genuine relationships between the Sommers family and their community reflect the true power of what happens when Network Kansas resources are used with care.

Coffee made fresh on site

Downtown Cimarron Coffee House purchased coffee roasting equipment in August of 2023 from a company in Minneapolis. This has paved the way for creating the freshest coffee experience possible.

Spinal Simplicity

eGrowth Ventures Equity Spotlight

Overland Park, KS

Population: 202,000

Spinal Simplicity headquarters

eGrowth Ventures (eGV), a business unit of Network Kansas, supports entrepreneurship in the state by investing into startups across Kansas. Spinal Simplicity is a notable example of the impact eGV makes in the local venture capital ecosystem.

Established in 2008 in Overland Park, by neurosurgeon Dr. Harold Hess and orthopedic entrepreneur Todd Moseley, Spinal Simplicity focuses on creating simple, effective solutions for complex spinal conditions, prioritizing patient care and minimally invasive techniques. In 2011, the company released their first approved product, the Minuteman, enabling them to enter the global medical device market.

Minimally invasive techniques, like those used in the Minuteman, require only a small incision, preserving musculature and enabling rapid recovery, often within two to three weeks. Because of the optimized recovery, Spinal Simplicity’s products have proven to drive rapid adoption by leading orthopedic and interventional pain physicians across the world.

Scaling at this rate cannot be done without investors who believe in the mission and are willing to put dollars behind it. As an early

investor through the Capital Multiplier Fund, Network Kansas has supported the company’s growth trajectory over the last eight years. Since our first investment in 2017, we have continued to support Spinal Simplicity’s mission through additional follow-on investments and new investments from our GrowKS equity programs.

In an interview with the eGV team, Jonathan Hess, VP of Finance and Investor Relations, expressed his appreciation for other programs the state of Kansas offers. “As we started crafting our business plan and learning how to raise capital in the local ecosystem, [we were] introduced to the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit Program. That was a phenomenal opportunity for us. We still have investors asking about it.” The Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit is offered by the Kansas Department of Commerce. “We’ve also had some wonderful angel investor groups along the way, including Accelerate Venture Partners with NXTUS. They have really allowed us to extend our network within the state of Kansas.”

The company’s leadership team has spent the last fourteen years innovating and have released five products outside of their flagship technology.

“Spinal Simplicity has been a great company to work with because of their impactful mission and strong Kansas commitment.” Thomas Papadatos, eGrowth Ventures

The team also invests in business-to-physician education on topics such as effectively inserting the implants and identifying the right patient for their product. The Spinal Simplicity facility features a training lab where physicians can receive hands-on education on using the company’s products, leading to improved patient outcomes.

“In an industry that has traditionally not been big here in the Midwest, we are changing it —we are rewriting the story,” said Tim McCown, Spinal Simplicity’s chief operating officer. “Thinking about the space we have here in Overland Park, we get the privilege of bringing people from all

over the country almost on a daily basis.” Their IP portfolio, boasting over 150 patents — including 52 U.S., 89 foreign, and 39 pending — grew further with the 2022 acquisition of IntralinkSpine, whose injectable spinal disc stabilization product earned FDA device designation in June 2025.

Spinal Simplicity’s journey reflects the power of Network Kansas’ support, blending local investment with visionary innovation. With a growing product line and global reach, the company continues to transform spinal care, proving Kansas is a hub for world-class innovation.

Spinal Simplicity’s IP Portfolio*

U.S.

Todd Moseley, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Spinal Simplicity.

Jonathan Hess, Vice President of Finance and Investor Relations for Spinal Simplicity.

Impact Investment Center (IIC)

The Impact Investment Center helps entrepreneurs navigate systems to connect with the right resources at the right stage of their business.

Active Resource Partners in our network to assist small businesses 656

Entrepreneurs contacted our Impact Investment Center for assistance with their business needs 36K

Referrals made to our Resource Partners to ensure entrepreneurs get the help they need 74K

1,466

3,230

FY25 Impact Data

27,241,977

Equity Investments

$ 2,580,871 Leveraged: $ 9,056,044

$ 7,284,352 Leveraged: $ 26,482,515

Measuring the Impact of Gap Financing

Kansas State University Capstone Report

In fiscal year 2025, students from the Kansas State University Business Capstone course partnered with Network Kansas to analyze the long-term impact of our gap financing programs. Their final report, The Economic Impact of the Gap Financing Program of Network Kansas, highlights the ripple effect these dollars have on local economies.

Using a sample of four diverse counties (Atchison, Leavenworth, Phillips, and Pottawatomie) the student team shows how each dollar loaned through Network Kansas programs contributes to local and statewide economic growth. Their findings reinforce what we’ve long seen anecdotally: gap financing is a powerful tool to support job creation, tax revenue, and business sustainability.

The results confirm the value of investing in small business growth in both rural and urban communities across Kansas.

The report found that every $1.00 loaned generates: $7.89 in wages $3.73 in state tax revenue $.57 in county tax revenue $.07 in interest revenue to the bank $185.79 total gross output

Scan to access the report

Letter from Leadership

To Our Younger Selves,

Twenty years ago, we were just beginning a journey that none of us could have fully imagined. Steve was the first employee of the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship, followed quickly by Erik. Trish worked in the related field of venture capital and had a working relationship with the Network Kansas team. While it started out as a big idea and a small team, we set out to build a network that gave every Kansas entrepreneur a fair shot at success.

Be ready for challenges. There will be moments when the obstacles seem larger than the opportunities. Always remember that the strength of this work comes from listening and empowering partners, communities and entrepreneurs. All of the small moments will add up to a movement that changes Kansas.

Don’t underestimate the power of relationships. The partnerships you form with economic development professionals, educators, legislators, funders, and thousands of small business owners across Kansas will become the backbone of everything you do.

Most of all, trust that this work matters. Two decades later, you will look back on the millions of dollars invested, thousands of entrepreneurs supported, the youth who we’ve inspired, and know that it was worth every late night and leap of faith.

We are proud of what has been built, humbled by those who believed in us, and inspired by what’s still to come. The next twenty years are calling.

Sincerely,

Your Future Selves Chief Financial Officer

Steve Radley

Chief Executive Officer

Erik Pedersen

Patricia Brasted President & Chief Operating Officer

A Team Built for Excellence

Our Board of Directors and major contributors support a wide variety of entrepreneurial activity and make closing resource gaps possible.

We extend our deepest gratitude to these individuals and organizations for their generosity, vision, and unwavering commitment to fostering entrepreneurship across Kansas. Their contributions help us to create programs that empower communities, inspire innovation, and help entrepreneurs turn their aspirations into reality.