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Applications Are Now Open!

Apply today for a chance to be in the Venture Studio that put Kansas City on the map for Social Impact!

DOING WELL BY DOING GOOD

Kansas City Social Venture Studio is a four-month program that is custom-designed for social entrepreneurs to grow their business and increase their community impact. The program offers a variety of benefits and opportunities that are designed to meet entrepreneurs at their unique stage of growth.

Programming includes business mentoring, cohort peer connections, curriculum focused on social impact, technical assistance, and more. Social Venture Studio combines individual development, cohort learning, and the benefit of an unrestricted grant.

 

Kansas City Social Venture Studio (SVS) is an accelerator started by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City and Downtown Council of Kansas City, operated through Keystone Innovation District.

Important Dates to Remember:

  • January 27, 2025: Application opens

  • March 21, 2025: Application closes

  • April 7, 2025: Applicants notified if they move forward to a second-round video interview

  • April 10-15, 2025: Second round video interviews 

  • April 23-25, 2025, Final pitch interviews

  • April 29, 2025: Notification of awards 

  • April 30, 2025: Announce 2025 SVS cohort

  • June 3, 2025: Programming starts 

  • September 18, 2025: Demo Day for 2025 SVS cohort

Key Program Participation Requirements: 

  • Must have business presence (office or staff) in Kansas City, MO or organization's Social Impact Service Area must include Kansas City, MO for at least 1 year post-program.

  • In-person participation and completion of goals on individual development plan

  • Open mindset to grow and scale 

  • Preference for co-founders and founders with senior leader who can co-participate in the program

Social Venture Studio Programming Dates:

  • Programming takes place at Keystone Co-Lab from 9am-5pm every Tuesday from June through September (excluding the week of Labor Day) 

    • Programming Dates include: June 3rd, June 10th, June 17th, June 24th, July 1st, July 8th, July 15th, July 22nd, July 29th, August 5th, August 12th, August 19th, August 26th, September 9th, and September 16th

  • Final Demo Day will take place on September 18th from 5-7:30pm. 

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Proud recipient of the 2022 IEDC Excellence in Economic Development Award for our work in promoting economic equity and inclusion.

See full press release here >

PROGRAM PERKS

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Funding

Selected companies will receive a grant ranging from $15,000 to $25,000.

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Exposure

Media exposure including podcast and featured stories.

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Access to CoLAB Resources

Co-working office space at Keystone CoLAB (800 E. 18th St.).

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Technical Assistance

Legal, financial, and marketing mentorship and assistance.

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Mentorship

Experts and leaders from a variety of fields will offer council, advice, and services. 

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Peer & Alumni Support

Alumni programming and connections to all LaunchKC accelerator alumni events.

MEET THE '24 COHORT

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Clinton

Velazquez

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Rodney

Woodard

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Jacob

Canyon 

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Godfrey

Riddle

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Mandy

Shoemaker

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Tate

Williams

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Callie

Weitzel

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JQ

Sirls

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Herston

Fails

“SVS provided me with invaluable tools, mentorship & connections that I needed to grow as a business leader and in turn helped me grow my business. It was a true accelerator in the fact that it gave me way more to learn and grow with each week than I could have acquired on my own even over a year or two. I am proud to be developing a social venture and am confident I can continue to progress to the next level.”

Dr. Brandy Archie, AskSAMIE 

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