We want to show the country that we’re a City with a heart! We believe this is the first major step toward creating a new, nationwide model for how communities can simultaneously support the entrepreneurs who are building the economic engines and job centers of tomorrow, while also making significant social impact at the same time. Businesses and societal advances don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
The application deadline is March 21, 2025.
It's a four-month program running from June 3rd - September 16th, 2025, with Demo Day on September 18th. The program offers business mentoring, cohort peer connections, a curriculum focused on social impact, technical assistance, and more, along with an unrestricted grant.
It's operated by Keystone Innovation District and funded by The Sunderland Foundation, initiated by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City and Downtown Council of Kansas City.
Benefits include funding in the form of an unrestricted grant (ranging from $15,000-25,000), access to Keystone CoLAB resources, access to mentors and subject-matter experts, technical assistance, and peer and alumni support.
Entrepreneurs should be open to feedback, committed to creating change, participate in full-day Tuesday sessions from June-September 2025, operate in Kansas City for a minimum of one year post-program, and complete individual development goals.
Eligible applicants must meet several key requirements. You must be a full-time CEO of your organization with a minimum viable product and revenue under $3 million, operating as a legal business entity. Your primary residence must be in the United States of America. The program requires a significant time commitment, including participation in 14 full days of in-person programming every Tuesday from June 3rd through September 16th (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM), plus attendance at Demo Day on September 18th. Additionally, you must commit to maintaining a business presence or "impact service area" that includes Kansas City, MO for one year following program completion. We encourage applications from diverse leaders, including BIPOC and/or female-led organizations.
There is no cost to participate in the program.
Social venturing harnesses the best in entrepreneurship to create more sustainable and impactful social good. Social venturers operate organizations both large and small, new and old, religious and nonreligious, nonprofit and for-profit, and hybrid structures. They deliver not only ROI but Social Return on Investment (SROI) to sustainably change our world. We believe social venturing is the future of philanthropy and our economy.
Yes, nonprofits are welcome to apply if they operate a sustainable business model to scale and reduce dependence on philanthropy.
Your organization 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.
Preference is given to organizations with co-founders and founders with senior leaders who can co-participate in the program. However, there have been solo entrepreneurs who successfully committed to and participated in the program.