K-State, GO Topeka collaborate with K-State 105 partners to open Business Concierge Office in downtown Topeka
Friday, Nov. 15, 2024
The Topeka/Shawnee County Business Concierge Office in downtown Topeka is a new resource hub for Shawnee County entrepreneurs. The new office was organized by Kansas State University and GO Topeka through the K-State 105 initiative. Pictured with the ceremonial scissors at the ribbon cutting, from left: Jessica Gnad, director of K-State 105; Stephanie Moran, senior vice president of innovation for GO Topeka; and Jessica Horton, regional director of the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Washburn University. They are joined by community leaders, legislators and partners. Photo credit: GO Topeka. | Download this photo.
MANHATTAN AND TOPEKA, KANSAS — Through the K-State 105 initiative, Kansas State University and GO Topeka have opened a new resource hub for Shawnee County entrepreneurs: the Topeka/Shawnee County Business Concierge Office in downtown Topeka. The collaboration also involves NetWork Kansas, Omni Circle Group, Washburn University School of Business and the Washburn Small Business Development Center.
The Business Concierge Office, 715 S. Kansas Ave., officially opened during a ribbon cutting on Friday, Nov. 15, and will serve as a comprehensive resource hub for Topeka and Shawnee County business owners. It is designed to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journeys, offering support to both budding startups and established enterprises.
At the downtown resource center, entrepreneurs can access a range of resources, including hands-on support, expert guidance and insights on navigating the complexities of launching and scaling a business.
"This type of collaborative engagement with community partners is the mission of a nextgeneration land-grant university like Kansas State University put into action," said Jessica Gnad, K-State 105 director. "The K-State 105 initiative is focused on economic growth for all 105 Kansas counties. We're so excited to collaborate with GO Topeka and other community partners to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Shawnee County through the new Business Concierge Office."
The Business Concierge Office will work closely with organizations like Washburn SBDC, Omni Circle and NetWork Kansas to bring together valuable expertise from across the region. It will also be regularly staffed by interns from the Washburn School of Business.
These collaborations aim to create an inclusive and accessible support system for entrepreneurs looking to innovate and grow, positioning Topeka as a leader in business sustainability.
"GO Topeka is thrilled to be launching the Business Concierge Office in partnership with Kansas State University and its K-State 105 initiative," said Stephanie Moran, senior vice president of innovation for GO Topeka. "This effort reflects our commitment to fostering a vibrant, thriving entrepreneurial community in Topeka and Shawnee County. By creating this resource hub, we aim to empower local business owners and fuel economic growth in the area."
GO Topeka invites community members to visit the new Business Concierge Office to discover opportunities available to elevate their business ventures. Updates about the resource center will be made available online at GOTopeka.com/resource. This hub is the next step in building a stronger, more prosperous entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kansas' capital city.
About K-State 105
K-State 105 is Kansas State University's answer to the call for a comprehensive economic growth and advancement solution for Kansas. The initiative leverages the statewide K-State Research and Extension network to deliver the full breadth of the university's collective knowledge and solutiondriven innovation to every Kansan, right where they live and work. K-State 105 forges connections and partnerships that create access to expertise within other state institutions and agencies, nonprofits and corporations-all part of an effort to build additional capacities and strengths in each of the 105 counties in the state. For more information, visit k-state.edu/105.
About GO Topeka
GO Topeka creates county-wide economic success for all companies and citizens through implementation of an aggressive economic-development strategy that capitalizes on the unique strengths of the community. GO Topeka operates under the Greater Topeka Partnership and is the leading economic development agency in the area. For more, visit GoTopeka.com.
