NetWork Kansas Board Certified Programs have been approved by the NetWork Kansas Board of Directors as an acceptable use of E-Community loan and/or marketing funds in order to generate entrepreneurial activity in a community.

 

The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge series (YEC)

The YEC is a sequence of community-based entrepreneurship competitions for students in grades 7-12, culminating in a state championship. The YEC series gives students hands-on experience thinking entrepreneurially by creating, developing and presenting a business concept that addresses a problem or opportunity. Then, on a given day, students compete against one another in teams or individually. Students’ work is judge by local entrepreneurs, resource partners, teachers or other adults and prizes are awarded. The YEC series has been in existence since 2013.

 

The Kansas Ice House Program

The Kansas Ice House Entrepreneurship Program is a certificate program that develops entrepreneurial skills like critical thinking, communication, problem solving, and other key assets. Inspired by the life story of Pulitzer nominee Clifton Taulbert, the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program was created by the Kauffman Foundation as a powerful learning program designed to educate and engage participants in the fundamental aspects of an entrepreneurial mindset.

 

Maker Space Boot Camp

This 2-1/2 day training in Independence, Kan. is for communities who want to learn how to create an entrepreneurial mindset and maker space in their community to enhance community revitalization efforts. Fab Lab ICC experts demonstrate how they set up their maker space, share impact from community members, and showcase the magic of making, showing that anyone can learn to use a maker space. Participants take home a collection of plans and processes and benefit from two post-camp phone consultations with Fab Lab ICC founder Jim Correll. E-Community loan funds can pay for registration and travel. Discounts available for E-Community participants. Learn more: www.fablabicc.org

 

Growing Rural Businesses

The 8-week certificate program provides practical, applied information and examples necessary for todayʼs rural communities. The Growing Rural Businesses Model is certificate program customized for rural businesses. Participants receive a comprehensive practical approach to conducting business along with the resources needed to succeed. Group discussions facilitated by Wichita State University Center for Entrepreneurship staff provide insights on how to approach challenges and solve them effectively.

 

Destination BootCamp & Destination BootCamp Community Reinvention Program (CRP)

This 2-1/2 day training in Longmont, CO is for business owners who want to accelerate their learning curve, receive in-depth instruction, strategies, and specific tactics on how to become a dominant “Destination Business” preferred by customers. Internationallyrecognized business expert Jon Schallert teaches a 14-step strategy to turn businesses and communities into destinations. The Community Reinvention Program sends a group of 6+ business owners and a community coordinator from a community to the same Destination BootCamp session and includes follow-up consulting and an on-site workshop with Jon.  

 

Economic Gardening

The Kansas Economic Gardening Network connects second-stage companies that have the intent and capacity to grow their business with expert consulting services designed to increase revenue and create sustainable job growth. Selected businesses interact with an experienced national economic gardening team who delivers services tailored to meet the needs of each business, including: generating sales leads, mapping geographic areas to facilitate targeted marketing, using SEO and other strategies to give the business a competitive edge. 07/26/19 AK www.networkkansas.com