Kansas City, Missouri, August 19, 2025
ScaleUP! Kansas City
ScaleUP! Kansas City is a prominent entrepreneurial development program supported by the Missouri Small Business Development Center at UMKC and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Established over a decade ago, it has successfully supported 254 local companies by providing comprehensive training, mentorship, and coaching aimed at business growth and sustainability. The program targets entrepreneurs with revenues exceeding $250,000, guiding them through a 16-week curriculum that emphasizes scaling—growing revenue without proportional increases in expenses. Recognized for its broad industry applicability, ScaleUP! Kansas City fosters regional economic development by helping entrepreneurs expand their businesses nationally, create jobs, and strengthen under-resourced communities. Its ongoing commitment is to empower growth-minded entrepreneurs to achieve long-term success and impact the local economy positively.
News Summary
ScaleUP! Kansas City has announced its 15th cohort featuring 20 local companies focused on driving economic growth through job creation and business expansion. The program caters to entrepreneurs with revenues above $250,000, providing them with valuable resources and training to scale effectively. Over the past decade, it has supported 254 companies across diverse industries by offering expert training, mentoring, and coaching to foster sustainable business growth.
Kansas City
ScaleUP! Kansas City has announced its 15th cohort of 20 local companies, aiming to drive economic growth through job creation and expansion in the region. The program is designed specifically for growth-minded entrepreneurs whose revenues exceed $250,000, providing them with the necessary resources and training to scale their businesses effectively.
Over the past decade, ScaleUP! Kansas City has supported 254 companies, offering various educational tools to help entrepreneurs develop processes, strategies, and long-term plans. This year’s cohort represents a diverse range of industries, including sports technology, roofing, brewing, and nutrition counseling, highlighting the program’s broad applicability across different sectors.
The 16-week program combines expert training, peer mentoring, and one-on-one coaching, focusing not only on business growth but also on preparing participants for market shifts and opportunities. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to work on their businesses rather than just within them, a strategy intended to foster sustainable growth. ScaleUP! Kansas City equips business owners with essential skills and confidence, enabling them to transition into multimillion-dollar enterprises.
Each cohort typically consists of around 20 “Scaler” entrepreneurs, and the initiative is funded by the Missouri Small Business Development Center at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The program is administered by the UMKC Innovation Center, which oversees numerous other business development initiatives.
Alumni from the program have reported significant achievements, such as expanding their businesses on a national scale, building award-winning teams, and increasing revenues. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of scaling—defined as enhancing revenue without a corresponding increase in expenses—allowing participants to adjust their business models for greater sustainability and growth. The program is particularly focused on supporting under-resourced communities, ensuring that the benefits of entrepreneurship are accessible to a wider demographic.
Overall, ScaleUP! Kansas City’s continued dedication to fostering entrepreneurial growth not only contributes to the individual success of participants but also strengthens the regional economy by creating new job opportunities and business locations.
Key Features of ScaleUP! Kansas City
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Cohort Number | 15th cohort of 20 local companies |
| Target Participants | Entrepreneurs with revenues above $250,000 |
| Program Duration | 16 weeks |
| Curriculum Focus | Training, expert speakers, peer mentoring, and one-on-one coaching |
| Funding Sources | Missouri SBDC at UMKC, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation |
| Number of Companies Served | 254 companies over 10 years |
| Emphasis on Scaling | Increasing revenue without a rise in expenses |
| Support for Communities | Focus on under-resourced areas |
FAQs
What is ScaleUP! Kansas City?
ScaleUP! Kansas City is a program aimed at supporting local entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses and driving economic growth in the region.
Who can participate in the program?
The program is designed for business owners with revenues above $250,000 who are seeking to grow their enterprises.
What does the program include?
The program consists of a 16-week curriculum featuring training sessions, guest speakers, peer mentoring, and one-on-one coaching.
How does ScaleUP! Kansas City benefit entrepreneurs?
It provides entrepreneurs with the skills, confidence, and network necessary to expand their businesses and adapt to market changes.
What impact has ScaleUP! Kansas City had?
The initiative has served 254 companies over its 10-year operation and has helped many participants achieve national expansion and increased revenue.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Startland News: ScaleUP! KC – 4
- Wikipedia: Entrepreneurship
- Startland News: ScaleUP! KC – 10 Years
- Google Search: Entrepreneurial Growth
- Startland News: Steve Kovzan – PayIt
- Google Scholar: Business Development Programs
- Startland News: ScaleUP! KC – Cohort 14
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Business Growth
- Startland News: ScaleUP! KC – 3
- Google News: Kansas City Business
Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
