Planning

Funding Your business

Identifying potential sources of investment capital is an important part of starting and growing your business. We want to help Kansas businesses be successful by providing the right resources at the right time. How do you know if you’re ready for funding? Do you have an idea for a business? Do you currently own a business and need capital to expand? What is the right option for you? What options are available to you, based on your business stage and collateral?

These questions can be tricky, but Network Kansas can help guide you to someone who can assist.

Chat live, call or e-mail their staff of trained referral coordinators for free, personal assistance. A real, live person will discuss your query and guide you to the right resource or resources to help. The referral center is staffed M-F 8 AM-5 PM. Call (877) 521-8600 or e-mail info@networkkansas.com.

The following resources provide more information on sources of funding for new and existing businesses.

General Business Incentive Programs

Guide to Resources for Funding a Business
A great place to start, this page outlines a number of business incentive programs, including Startup Kansas and the Entrepreneurship Community Partnership. (from Network Kansas)

Kansas Business Incentives Overview
Overview of finance and workforce development programs, tax incentives, and site location assistance for businesses in Kansas.

Business and Community Finance Incentives(including local incentives)
Information on the most widely used financial incentives provided by the Kansas Department of Commerce

Listing of Kansas Business Tax Incentives
Kansas law provides for a variety of tax incentives to the average business or individual that include tax credits, exemption from sales tax and property tax abatements and refunds. A brief description is provided of the different Kansas tax incentives with links to more information. (from Kansas Department of Revenue)

Kansas Angels Tax Credit
This program enables accredited angel investors to qualify for the tax credit, and allows companies to become certified under the guidelines of the program. (from Kansas Department of Commerce)

Rural Opportunity Zones
Rural Opportunity Zones are 77 Kansas countiesthat have been authorized to offer one or both of the following financial incentives to new full-time residents: Kansas income tax waivers for up to five years and/or Student loan repayments up to $15,000. (from Kansas Department of Commerce)

Rural Development Loan Assistance
Summarizes the rural development loan offerings and other types of business assistance offered by the USDA. (from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) )

Agricultural grant and cost-share programs
Information on various programs, such as theOrganic Cost Share program, coordinated through the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

Small Business Administration Microloans
The Microloan program provides loans up to $50,000 to help small businesses and certain not-for-profit childcare centers start up and expand. (from the federal Small Business Administration)

Business Startup Financing

The financing of a business venture can come from a variety of sources. It requires careful planning and research to determine which sources may be available and appropriate for the particular business. It is extremely difficult to start a business with 100 percent financing. Lending sources often require 20 to 50 percent equity participation by the business entity. This demonstrates that the business owner is willing to risk personal resources signifying a commitment to the project.

The following list will be expanded as more programs are identified. To obtain the most current information about financing options available to startups, contact the Network Kansas referral center. The center is staffed M-F 8 AM-5 PM. Call (877) 521-8600 or e-mail info@networkkansas.com

Beginning Farmer Loan Program
The program assists farmers who have not previously had or who do not currently have substantial ownership interest in farmland in financing their agricultural businesses to start or keep them in farming. (from Kansas Development Finance Authority)

Kansas Bioscience Authority
The KBA is investing significant resources in the dynamic bioscience industry to stimulate job growth, attract private venture capital and increase research and business investments in the state. It focuses its resources in sectors in which Kansas has national leadership and expertise, including animal health, human health, bioenergy, biomaterial and plant biology.