While Kansas may bring to mind sparkly red shoes clicking and iconic BBQ, it’s also home to almost 300,000 small businesses. If you’re a business owner in Kansas—or you’re considering becoming a Kansas-based business owner—then check out the funding list below. These business grants and loans are available to businesses based within the Sunflower state.
Department or Agency: Kansas Commerce
Loan or Grant title: Small Business Research & Development (R&D) Acceleration Grants
With its Small Business R&D Acceleration Grants, Kansas Commerce aims to help bring products and services to market and encourage small businesses to flourish across the state. Grants are available up to $25,000 for businesses registered in Kansas and with 50 or fewer full-time employees. Businesses must match the grant with its own resources. From the grant amount, up to $5,000 can be used to pay for a student internship position to work on the awarded project. Funds can also be used toward prototypes, testing, marketing, and other research and development expenses.
Department or Agency: GROWKS
Loan or Grant title: GROWKS Loan Program
The GROWKS Loan Program is geared toward helping underserved small businesses and entrepreneurs receive access to funding through opportunities for matching capital. Match amounts range up to $100,000 from GROWKS, with additional financing coming from another financial institution. Funds can be put toward working capital, start-up fees, inventory, and other business expenses. Eligible businesses must be located in Kansas and have under 500 employees.
Department or Agency: NetWork Kansas
Loan or Grant title: Startup Kansas Loan
NetWork Kansas aims to spark economic growth by providing monthly funding to support businesses throughout the state as they grow and expand. This loan program matches investments from other financial institutions up to 150%. Loan amounts are given up to $45,000, which can be applied toward a variety of business expenses, including working capital, inventory, equipment and other costs.
Department or Agency: NetWork Kansas
Loan or Grant title: Entrepreneurship (E-) Community Partnership Revolving Loan Fund
NetWork Kansas E-Community provides a revolving loan fund as a means of gap financing for Kansas entrepreneurs. The fund was created out of an interest in growing businesses and helping Kansas communities flourish. Loan amounts up to $45,000 are awarded to match loans from other, public financial institutions. Funds can be put toward working capital, inventory, startup costs, and other business expenses.
Department or Agency: South Central Kansas Economic Development District
Loan or Grant title: SBA Community Advantage Mid-Size Loan
Businesses in need of longer-term working capital or funds to cover start-up costs may be eligible for a mid-size loan from South Central Kansas Economic Development District. To be considered, a company must be a for-profit business in the state of Kansas and be valued under $15 million—among other requirements. This loan fund was created in an effort to support disadvantaged business owners, businesses in low- to moderate-income areas, and businesses in operation for less than two years.
Department or Agency: South Central Kansas Economic Development District
Loan or Grant title: SBA Microloans
Microloans of up to $50,000 may be available for businesses in the following Kansas counties: Barber, Barton, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Clark, Comanche, Cowley, Edwards, Elk, Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Greenwood, Hamilton, Harper, Harvey, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearney, Kingman, Kiowa, Lane, Lyon, Marion, McPherson, Meade, Morton, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt, Reno, Rice, Rush, Saline, Scott, Sedgwick, Seward, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, Sumner, and Wichita. The loan fund was created to support women, minorities, veterans, and other business owners who may typically face challenges securing traditional financing options. Funds can be used toward working capital, purchasing inventory or equipment, and other business expenses.
Department or Agency: Cowley First Economic Development Partnership
Loan or Grant title: Revolving Loan Fund
Small businesses located in Cowley County may be eligible for a loan through the Revolving Loan Fund from Cowley First, which is a partnership designed to foster economic development in the area. Loan amounts range from $3,000 to $8,000 and can be used toward building renovations, equipment, and other business expenses.
Department or Agency: Cowley First Economic Development Partnership
Loan or Grant title: E-Community Loan Fund
Seed capital is available for small businesses in Cowley County in amounts up to $45,000 through the E-Community Loan Fund. Applicants are required to secure a 40% matching loan from another eligible lender. The goal of the program is to increase the creation of jobs that pay above-average wages for the county and applicable business sector.
