1Week KC is becoming a rally point for entrepreneurs across the region

As 1Week KC kicks off its fourth year today, it’s clear the event is gaining attention beyond the city limits. “We’ve seen a lot of entrepreneurs come from across the Silicon Prairie network over the last few years,” said Nathan Kurtz, Senior Program Officer at the Kauffman Foundation. The week-long event brings together many familiar startup…

1weekKC

As 1Week KC kicks off its fourth year today, it’s clear the event is gaining attention beyond the city limits.

“We’ve seen a lot of entrepreneurs come from across the Silicon Prairie network over the last few years,” said Nathan Kurtz, Senior Program Officer at the Kauffman Foundation.

The week-long event brings together many familiar startup community standards–Startup Weekend, 1 Million Cups, an accelerator demo day–and sets them side-by-side.

“It’s a different scale than Big Omaha, where Big Omaha is two really intense days in one spot,” said Kurtz. “This is a week long event, which is really interesting [in terms of] engagement.”

One of the most popular events of the week, E Day at the K, will be back this year.

“Last year, at least 50 of the 400-plus attendees at E Day at the K that were not from the Kansas City metro,” said Kurtz. “A lot of people came from places like Des Moines, Wichita and Columbia.”

From Techstars to Indiegogo

1Week KC’s other signature event is the Sprint Accelerator demo day.

Last year the Sprint Accelerator powered by Techstars had its first demo day during 1Week KC. Three Techstars co-founders were at the event, which drew an audience of almost 1,800.

This year’s week will also include a new crowdfunding educational event on Wednesday, in which experienced crowdfunders will interact with those who are actively executing campaigns.

The opportunity for entrepreneurs across the area to share what they are doing is perhaps 1Week KC’s biggest value.

“Some of the best innovations come from just talking about what you’re doing with others,” said Kurtz.

1Week KC runs from May 29th through Friday, June 5th. For a complete schedule, visit 1weekkc.com.

This story is part of the AIM Archive

This story is part of the AIM Institute Archive on Silicon Prairie News. AIM gifted SPN to the Nebraska Journalism Trust in January 2023. Learn more about SPN’s origin »

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