KCSourceLink’s Entrepreneur Day at the K heralded the work of the support organization’s sprawling network of partners. But the tailgate party at Kauffman Stadium didn’t let founder Maria Meyers go unnoticed.
Reading from a proclamation announcement marking Monday as “KCSourceLink Entrepreneur Day” in Kansas City, Missouri, Nathan Kurtz, entrepreneur advocate at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, celebrated KCSourceLink’s 15 years under Meyers’ leadership.
“KCSourceLink continues to be a driving force in growing the Kansas City entrepreneurial ecosystem, building a suite of high-impact entrepreneurial programs, collaborating with local, state and federal resources and creating uncommon solutions to challenges faced by people wanting to start and grow successful companies in Kansas City, Missouri,” the proclamation by Mayor Sly James read.
Check out award winners from the event below the photo gallery.
Since 2003, KCSourceLink has helped fill the gaps in the entrepreneurial landscape through such programs as Digital Sandbox KC, Whiteboard Boardroom, ScaleUP! KC, the Urban Business Growth Initiative, KCInvestEd and its network of 250 entrepreneurial resources.
Such partners also were celebrated Monday as KCSourceLink announced the winners of it’s E-Day at the K All-Star voting. Awards and honorees included:
- Most Assists Award — John Adessi, the Small Business Development Center, Johnson County Community College
- Golden Glove Award — Adam Arredondo, executive director, Kansas City Startup Foundation
- Roberto Clemente Award for Sportsmanship — Kim Beer, SCORE
- Manager of the Year Award (tie) — Nathan Kurtz, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; Jill Hathaway, the Small Business and Technology Development Center, University of Missouri-Kansas City
- Cy Young Award — Stephanie Landis, the Small Business Development Center, Johnson County Community College
- Fanatical Fan Award — Matthew Marcus, chief engagement officer, Kansas City Startup Foundation
- Outstanding Coaching Award — Jill Meyer, ScaleUP! KC, the Small Business and Technology Development Center, University of Missouri-Kansas City
- Slugger Award — Tina Peterso, Sprint Accelerator
- Hank Aaron Award — Eze Redwood, Twenty30CEO
- Silver Slugger Award — Melissa Roberts, Enterprise Center in Johnson County
- Most Valuable Player Award — Terri Turner, iWerx and EnCorps45
- Iron Man Award — Rick Usher, assistant city manager for small business and entrepreneurship, City of Kansas City, Missouri
- Utility Infielder Award — Elisa Waldman, the Small Business Development Center, Johnson County Community College
- Homerun Derby Award — Sally Williams, the Small Business and Technology Development Center, University of Missouri-Kansas City
- World Series Trophy — Courtney Windholz, 1 Million Cups Kansas City
For full descriptions of these awards, click here.
Mayor James’ proclamation Monday also lauded the entrepreneurial success stories of Ewing Marion Kauffman (Marion Laboratories), Joyce Hall (Hallmark Greeting Cards), Toby Rush (EyeVerify/Zoloz) and Danny O’Neill (The Roasterie).
