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I have an idea

Through design-thinking and market research we help you take your idea to reality.

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I have a startup

We can assist with business resources and funding opportunities to support your startup.

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I have a business

We have a slate of business services from organizational assessments to succession planning.

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quick help button
I have an idea
I have a startup
I have a business

The Center for Entrepreneurship supports the startup community from pre-seed to early-stage development.

Whether you have an idea, a prototype, or your business is already started - we can help you go further.

45+ startups launched or scaled since 2016 More than $10 million in funding for startups since 2016

Our Programs:


ignitor logo

New cohorts starting soon!

Learn more today!

ignitor is a series of entrepreneurial trainings to help you get started and move your business forward.

 

ignitor 2.0
A dynamic and immersive training designed to equip aspiring and active entrepreneurs with the necessary tools to embark on their startup ideas and ventures.

Next Sessions:
January 23 - February 20
Tuesdays | 5:30 - 8:00 pm
(With the exception of February 13)

 
"ignitor" Two groups collaborate and work on their idea.
"Kansas Family Business Forum" Family members involved in their business are writing notes from an Executive Breakfast.
"ARPA Small Business Digital Transformation Program"A woman stands ready to take an order with a tablet.
"Growing Rural Businesses" A woman is discussing a book titled The E-Myth.
"Rural E-Launch" A group of people sit listening to someone explain the results of their customer interviews.
 

 
Program: Who benefits: Description:
ignitor People in the Wichita area who are within the process of turning a business idea into a profitable venture. The ignitor accelerator provides a structured support system for community innovators and entrepreneurs, focusing on the ideation pre-seed phase.

Kansas Family Business Forum

Family businesses in the Wichita area. Kansas Family Business Forum brings owners, families and managers together to address issues of ownership and management succession, strategic planning, family dynamics and family governance.

ARPA Small Business Digital Transformation Program

Business owners looking to implement new technology and processes. Learn how to develop a digital mindset, increase customer value, improve efficiencies, and make your business more resilient for whatever comes next.
Supported by City of Wichita ARPA grant and offered through The Office of Innovation and New Ventures.
Growing Rural Businesses Business owners in rural Kansas who are looking to grow their business. Growing Rural Businesses is an eight-week certificate program customized for rural businesses. GRB provides practical, applied information and examples necessary for rural communities in Kansas.
Rural E-Launch People living in rural areas who have a business idea and/or prototype. Learn before you launch. This program teaches you to clearly conceptualize how your product can provide real value to customers.

Our Events:


 
"Shocker New Venture Competition" A student stands at their booth presenting their idea to judges.
"Idea Set Go" A person sits with question marks and a lightbulb overhead.
"Clash Build Cash" A screen shot of Venture Valley gameplay.
 
 
Competition: Who benefits: Description:
Shocker New Venture Competition Students who are working on making their business idea or startup a reality. The Shocker New Venture Competition gives students the opportunity to win venture money as well as receive valuable feedback on their idea from industry experts.
Idea Set Go Students who are looking to build problem solving and creative skills as they explore the idea of starting a business. Issuing a challenge to be creative and explore applied problem solving, Idea Set Go is a competition invites WSU students to enter a creative solution  to win a cash prize of $500.
Clash Build Cash Students who are looking to hone essential professional skills like strategic decision-making, adaptability, and innovative thinking. In this competitive multi-player tournament hosted on Venture Valley, students are given a chance to shine, regardless of academic background.
Troy Tabor

Tabor tapped to lead Center for Entrepreneurship

The Center for Entrepreneurship at Wichita State University has hired Troy Tabor as its new director, effective Jan. 23.

In his new role at Wichita State, Tabor will build on the Center for Entrepreneurship’s strong history of cross-college collaborations and community partnerships; foster growth by creating new relationships; secure funding for long-term sustainability; and launch meaningful programs to enhance the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Read full story

Devlin HallDevlin Hall

My advice to anyone is to take advantage of your resources. We are fortunate at WSU to have access to people with great experience in the field and to have them be a phone call away. I would reach out to Nancy, Troy and others involved to offer advice and insights about your presentation, pitch, demo, or whatever it may be. This is not the first startup they are involved in, and it won't be the last.

-Grant Johnson, Previous winner of the Shocker New Venture Competition

Read more about Grant and the competition
Grant Johnson testing a prototype of Vision Vest with the aid of blind individual

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