There are a plethora of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter, or curious community member — we recommend these upcoming events for you.
Are you hosting a relevant community event? Add it to the KCSourceLink Calendar for increased exposure. Email info@kcsourcelink.com for assistance.
Regnier Institute First Wednesday
When: Oct. 3, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: UMKC Bloch Executive Hall Room 218
The First Wednesdays Speaker Series & Networking Event takes place every first Wednesday of the month during the academic year. Hosted at UMKC Bloch Executive Hall, Room 218 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
October’s event will feature the “Ventures Gaining Traction” panel. Come to learn from past and present Entrepreneurship Scholars who have found their footing.
- Presenters: Panelists from Integrated Roadways, By Grace Designs and Strange Days Brewery
The events are free, open to the public and end in pizza and networking.
Startup Rewind
When: Oct. 4, 7: 45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Where: Deer Creek Country Club
Startup Rewind gives local entrepreneurs a venue to pitch their idea followed by questions and feedback from the audience. This valuable feedback will help encourage and grow their ideas and in turn build a better community through business and entrepreneurship. Come join us for some great ideas and out of the box thinking. The goal is to get the word out about new companies and ideas, while gaining feedback from the community of business leaders and other entrepreneurs. This format will help foster business networking and encourage those entrepreneurs who are creating tomorrows big ideas. The Startup Rewind takes presentations made at other entrepreneurial events from the Startup scene in Kansas City and replays them again. This gives them another chance to get themselves in front of more people who may have missed it the first time around, thus the name Startup Rewind. Startup Rewind meets once monthly on the first Wednesday of the month at Deer Creek Country Club from 7:15am to 8:30am. The event is hosted and sponsored by the Overland Park South Rotary Club.
The Marketing Series Workshops: Brand Positioning with Grant Gooding
When: Oct. 4, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Sprint Accelerator
The Marketing Series takes an in-depth look at the science and analytics behind marketing campaigns–from the basics of growth hacking to ins-and-outs of content marketing.
Pitching to Investors
When: Oct. 5, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Small Business & Technology Development Center
Learn about what investors need to know and want to see before making an investment in a start-up. Presented by Michele Weigand, Managing Partner of Focused Perspective with over 27 years of Finance and Business Development experience. Michele was the former Chief Investment Officer for KTEC and managed investments for GE Mortgage and GE Reinsurance.
WeWork Corrigan Station Grand Opening Party
When: Oct. 6, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: WeWork Corrigan Station
Don’t miss live art curated by local artists, the ultimate in craft cocktails and local breweries, bites provided by incredible culinary experts, live music & more.
Trust us, this is one stop at First Fridays you won’t want to miss.
Ongoing events
Don’t miss out on the events that happen every week at the same time, in the same place.
Code for KC Hack Night
Mondays from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Sprint Accelerator
Hammerspace Open House
Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Hammerspace
1 Million Cups
Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at Kauffman Foundation, Lawrence and KC Live Stream
Coworking Wednesdays
Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Sprint Accelerator
Looking ahead
International Trade Opportunities in China & Hong Kong
When: Oct. 9, 8:30 p.m. – 10:00
Where: Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City Offices
This free session will focus on International Trade Opportunities in China and Hong Kong. Elaine Yang, Director of the MO Trade & Investment Office – China, and Howard Kwong, Trade Specialist of the MO Trade & Investment Office – Hong Kong will be in Kansas City to provide an up-to-date overview on the opportunities and challenges in the China and Hong Kong market, as well as meeting one-on-one with businesses.
Agenda:
8:30-9:00 Registration and networking
9:00-10:00 Presentation on China & Hong Kong markets/Q&A
10:00-12:00 One-on-one meetings
1:00-5:00 One-on-one meetings
Women in Science and Entrepreneurship
When: Oct. 10, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Where: Kauffman Foundation Conference Center
8:00 – 8:30am: Breakfast & Registration
8:30 – 9:00am: Introductions & Keynote Presentation
9:00 – 10:00am: Panel Discussion
KEYNOTE
Elizabeth Loboa
Dean and Professor of Bioengineering
University of Missouri
Loboa is the 11th full-time dean in the MU College of Engineering’s history and its first female dean. As dean, she oversees nine disciplines, 103 faculty members and 3,500 undergraduate students, as well as a variety of research centers, programs and facilities that contribute to MU’s overall annual research and development spending. Loboa provides leadership and strong advocacy for research and education and shapes the future of the College through continued excellence in research, education and campus diversity.
PANEL DISCUSSION
An opportunity to ask women STEM entrepreneurs and leaders what challenges they have faced and how we can develop solutions to clear the path for future generations.
KU Startup Showcase: A Celebration of Innovation
When: Oct. 10, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Adams Alumni Center
Come celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit at KU. Hear from startup companies commercializing the latest cutting-edge technologies created from KU student ideas, KU faculty research, or founded by KU alumni.
This half day program will include a showcase of startup companies with Jayhawk roots. Stay for a BIOKansas BIOBreak networking reception where the Baxendale Innovation Award and the Pipeline Entrepreneurs Pitch Qualifiers for KU will be named.
Kansas City Women’s Chamber Luncheon with Veteran’s Community Project
When: Oct. 12, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Veterans Community Project – Tiny House
Join us for lunch and a tour of the Veteran’s Community Project Tiny House initiative. Tickets are $30 for members and $40 for non-members.
Event sponsored by: Unique Painting
Second Fridays
When: Oct. 13, 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Village Square Coworking
Second Fridays is a casual, fun gathering for the startup community to connect on a monthly basis with no agenda except good times.
We’ll provide games & snacks, you BYOB (with a twist) – bring a 6-pack of beer and add it to our “beer potluck” cooler where we’ll keep it nice n’ cold. When you want another beer, grab one of your own or someone else’s. Mix it up and enjoy a variety of suds throughout the evening.
If you play an instrument, we encourage you to bring it with you. What better way to end the week than with a startup community jam session!?
Feel free to stop by anytime starting at 5pm. We’ll be here until 7pm or until everyone leaves (unless it gets ridiculous).