Global Entrepreneurship Week came to Kansas City this past week offering different events and workshops aimed at startups and entrepreneurs. Founded in 2008, Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world’s largest celebration of innovators who launch startups that bring ideas to life and drive economic growth.
Photo Source: KCSourceLink
Kansas City’s Global Entrepreneurship Week is powered by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Every November it holds events to inspire and engage entrepreneurs across the Kansas City community while connecting them to potential mentors, collaborators and resources.
Digital Sandbox KC, a program for early-stage Kansas City startups, moderated a panel discussion during the week’s events to discuss how it has helped different startups forge connections and gain key funding. The program aims to provide proof-of-concept resources to support startups in the early-stage commercialization process.
According to an article from the Kansas City Business Journal, since its creation, Digital Sandbox KC has been able to fund 55 proof-of-concept projects. With the help of Digital Sandbox KC, 39 of those projects have secured first round funding totaling $23 million and have created 250 new jobs as a result. Digital Sandbox KC has also helped a variety of tech companies, including Twentyseven Global’s client Play-it Health, receive the necessary guidance to become a revenue generating model.
The Kansas City tech scene continues to boom and its programs, like Digital Sandbox KC, are helping make Kansas City one of America’s most entrepreneurial cities.
Steve Roatch, CEO of Twentyseven Global, has supported numerous startups in the KC community as an investor; additionally, his software development firm launched a unique business model for startups, called Factory 27.
