
What is ELEVATIONLAB Entrepreneurial Education at UMKC Innovation Center?
It includes many programs you know so well – all to help small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs!
Missouri Small Business Development Center
- One-on-one counseling
- Full suite of training courses
- GROWTH360 (Scale)
- NEWVENTURE (Spark)
- TECHVENTURE (Surge)
- Multiple single session courses offered throughout the year
ScaleUP! Kansas City
- 17 weeks of curriculum designed for high growth companies to strategize and streamline
- Expert speakers, peer-to-peer interaction and collisions
- Lifelong connections with companies at your stage of growth and counselors
Missouri APEX Accelerator (formerly Missouri PTAC)
- Assist businesses with federal, state and local government contracting
- Help with registrations including: MBE, WBE, SLBE and more
- Follow the APEX newsletter: Sign up here
University of Missouri Extension (MU Extension)
- Produces and provides relevant responsive educational strategies
- Enhance access to resources and research through the UM System
When you hear our name – just know that we help entrepreneurs soar every day through every program!

Are you ready to turn your great idea into a business? Would you like to get into an entrepreneurial mindset and learn from successful business owners? Do you need help writing a business plan? Are you struggling with financial basics and management know-how? ELEVATIONLAB offers SPARK classes to help get you started. Check out all of your options at SPARK.

When you’ve checked off the challenges of a start-up business, it’s time to grow. Get the expertise you need for improved business performance, increased sales, franchising, government contracts, international trade and profitable growth. Learn from ELEVATIONLAB SCALE classes designed to help you meet your goals.

If you’ve developed a new technology or innovative product, Missouri SBDC offers training, coaching and networking opportunities through its ELEVATIONLAB SURGE series. These courses are designed for technology, science and university based entrepreneurs who need a proven framework and network of connections to commercialize their innovations.
“In late 2016, I met with the director of the Missouri SBDC, Carmen DeHart. I was a small business owner who was lost and frustrated. I had so many ideas, yet was not realizing the potential I knew capable for my business. By meeting weekly with my Business Development Consultant Jill Hathaway, my once overwhelming ideas became a cohesive message for Frankie OnCall.”
Frankie Bellucci, Frankie OnCall
“Rebecca Gubbels is one of the best business consultants I have known. Very competent, knowledgeable. Creative, but extremely pragmatic, while keeping a great sense of humor. Good business advice, backed up by lots of interesting business, lending and consulting experiences. A great analyst, Rebecca has the ability to see through surface things and get to the heart of business dynamics, procedural, strategic or personnel issues. A great business plan writer as well.”
Don Whitney, W Law Group, LC
“SBDC has been such a blessing that has helped to take my business to the next level. The entire team, and Jill Meyer in particular, is a fantastic asset that has awarded me opportunities and given me guidance through my entrepreneurial journey.”
Spencer Carlson, 2020 Adventures
