Launch a Business program gets underway with kickoff event
Thursday, July 17, 2014
MANHATTAN — Entrepreneurs, mentors and College of Business Administration faculty came together recently to spawn jobs with a kickoff event for the Kansas State University Launch a Business program.
The program, which is sponsored by KS State Bank and the college's Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship, provides 10 high-potential startup ventures with much-needed resources, including faculty-led courses, hands-on student research teams and access to the university's world-class alumni mentor network.
"It is great to see so many of our stakeholders invested in the success of these entrepreneurs," said Chad Jackson, director of the college's Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship. "Our alumni network, faculty and business community have really come together to provide an innovative program that will support small business owners and help create jobs in Kansas."
The kickoff event was the first opportunity for the program participants to meet and network with the mentors, faculty and other startups. The event got started with remarks from Phil Howe, who is the CEO of KS State Bank, a Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship Advisory Board member and a recipient of the College of Business Administration's Business Legends Award. Each business owner was then given the opportunity to give their elevator pitch to those in attendance.
The Launch a Business program will continue through Aug. 8. Program organizers invite all alumni and supporters of the university and the regional startup ecosystem to a closing celebration on Aug. 12 at the university's Alumni Center. The event will feature presentations from all program participants, with attendees having the opportunity to vote for their favorite company, and the awarding of a cash and in-kind prize package, valued at more than $50,000, to one participant to help move his or her venture forward.
More information on the inaugural startups selected for the Launch a Business program is available at http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/jun14/labclass62314.html.
