Helping entrepreneurs build successful businesses and connect with community.

The support you need to start and grow your business.

Education

Spark and our partners offer regular courses and training to help entrepreneurs learn business basics. Find upcoming events and classes, near you.

Find a Class

Connection

Starting a business? Get connected to the right people, training and resources for your business stage with Spark’s Entrepreneur Navigation Sessions.

Get Connected

Promotion

Spark helps you get the word out about your business, connect to new customers, and shine a spotlight on your business with regular news and feature articles.

Read a Story

Now Available: Access Capital for Your Small Business

$350,000 in new capital is now available for area entrepreneurs. This financial boost comes through the launch of two entrepreneurial funding programs—the Elevate Micro-Loan Program and the NetWork Kansas Empower Fund. A consortium of key entrepreneurial ecosystem partners, including the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, Spark, Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills, K-State Innovation Partners, the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, and NetWork Kansas, have joined forces to make this initiative a reality. Lending decisions will be made at the local level by a diverse review board.

The Elevate Micro-Loan Program has been generously capitalized by the City of Manhattan, with the City Commission approving $250,000 to support small business funding in May 2023.

The Empower Fund, a NetWork Kansas pilot program, is designed to provide access to capital for minority business owners facing barriers to traditional financing. Offering loans up to $15,000, the Empower Fund features a 4% interest rate and a 48-month repayment period to qualifying businesses located in Riley, Pottawatomie, or Geary Counties. 

Learn more about small business funding

Enrollment for the next 2024 Business Launch cohort will open soon.

To be notified when enrollment opens, add your name to the waitlist.

Add me to the Business Launch Waitlist

Find the Resources You Need to Start or Grow Your Business

Whether you’re working on a business concept, ready to open or expanding your operations, you’ll find resource organizations, service providers and support you need. Select Idea, Launch or Growth to be directed to resources for your business stage.