Become an E-Community

Join the Entrepreneurship (E-) Community Partnership and help build a thriving environment for business startups and expansions in your area.

How It Works
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What Does It Mean to Join?

The Entrepreneurship (E-) Community Partnership, operated by NetWork Kansas, helps Kansas communities cultivate sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems. Participating communities gain access to funding tools, technical assistance, and a statewide network of peers and resource partners — all focused on helping local businesses start and grow.

The Application Process

Communities interested in joining the E-Community Partnership go through a competitive selection process. Recent additions like Sumner and Decatur County were approved in June 2024.

1

Express Interest

Reach out to NetWork Kansas to learn about the partnership and determine if it's a fit for your community's economic development goals.

2

Submit Application

Complete the application detailing your community's readiness, leadership team, and vision for building a local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

3

Competitive Review

Applications are evaluated through a competitive process. Selected communities are approved to join the statewide E-Community network.

4

Launch & Grow

Once approved, your community gains access to loan funds, resources, and ongoing support to help local businesses start and expand.

Resources for Your Community

E-Communities receive access to a dedicated loan fund, technical assistance, and a network of resource partners. These tools help you support local entrepreneurs at every stage — from startup through expansion.

Explore the full range of resources available to participating communities and learn how they can strengthen your local business ecosystem.

Browse Resources

Communities that join the E-Community Partnership gain access to a robust framework designed to nurture entrepreneurship at the local level. Through this collaboration, towns and regions can leverage shared resources, including funding tools and technical assistance, to support business startups and expansions. The partnership emphasizes building a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem where small businesses can thrive. By connecting with a statewide network of peers and resource partners, participating communities benefit from collective knowledge and best practices. This cooperative approach helps foster economic growth and resilience, ensuring that local entrepreneurs have the support they need to succeed in a competitive marketplace.

The application process for becoming an E-Community is designed to be accessible and straightforward for interested Kansas communities. Prospective partners work through a structured evaluation that assesses local commitment to entrepreneurship and readiness to engage with the network. Once accepted, communities receive ongoing guidance and access to specialized programs that address their unique needs. This includes opportunities for training, mentorship, and connection to capital resources. The goal is to empower each community to build a tailored approach to supporting its entrepreneurs, from early-stage startups to established businesses looking to expand their reach and impact.

Becoming an E-Community means joining a movement dedicated to cultivating a vibrant entrepreneurial culture across Kansas. Participating communities become part of a collaborative network that celebrates innovation, resilience, and local economic development. Through regular events, shared success stories, and peer learning opportunities, members stay connected and inspired. The partnership also provides tools for tracking progress and measuring the impact of entrepreneurship initiatives. This holistic approach ensures that communities of all sizes can create environments where businesses flourish, jobs are created, and residents have access to diverse economic opportunities close to home.

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Growing Every Year

On June 24, 2024, NetWork Kansas approved two new E-Community Partnership teams: Sumner County and Decatur County. These communities joined through a competitive selection process, demonstrating strong local leadership and a commitment to fostering entrepreneurship.

See all participating communities on the interactive map.

View E-Communities
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Ready to Bring the E-Community Partnership to Your Area?

Contact NetWork Kansas to start the conversation about joining.

Call (877) 521-8600