This past Monday, SST hosted a press conference with the Kansas Department of Commerce!  The theme of the conference was “JumpStart Kansas Entrepreneurs”.  The goal of the JumpStart Kansas Entrepreneurs initiative is to allow the Kansas Department of Commerce to provide funding to encourage new businesses in Kansas while partnering with its university structure.

In attendance were a variety of representatives including:

• Antonio Soave, Kansas Commerce Secretary
• Tom Sloan, Douglas County Rep for the Kansas House of Representatives
• Tim Dawsy, Dean of Pittsurg State University’s College of Technology
• Henry Schwaller, Director of Fort Hays State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship

According to Kansas Commerce Secretary Antonio Soave,

“JumpStart Kansas Entrepreneur is early-stage capital.  We want to target entrepreneurs who do not necessarily have the access or the opportunity to get a jumpstart sort of fund.  We believe in these Kansas entrepreneurs and we want to help them succeed in their endeavors.”

Partners of The Kansas Department of Commerce include:

• University of Kansas (Bioscience and Technology Busines Center)
• Kansas State University (Advanced Manufacturing Institute)
• Wichita State University (Innovation Campus)
• Pittsburg State University (Center for Economic and Business Development)
• Fort Hays State University
• Emporia State University
• Washburn University
• Network Kansas

SST previously worked with Lawrence’s Bioscience & Technology Business Center (BTBC) and in 2013 became the first company to “graduate” from the BTBC!  As such, SST is very proud to represent small business entrepreneurs in Kansas!