Training Opportunities

Are you a successful professional looking to diversify your portfolio and support the next generation of innovators? Angel Investing 101 is an intensive three-day workshop designed for high-net-worth individuals interested in funding early-stage technology and biomedical startups. 

Led by experienced investors and startup founders, this course will cover: 

• The fundamentals of angel investing and how deals are structured
• How to evaluate startup opportunities with limited due diligence
• The risks, rewards, and ideal investment sizes for early-stage funding
• The role of an angel investor—mentoring vs. micromanaging
• Key dos and don’ts to build a strong, diversified portfolio 

Each session includes interactive discussions and expert panelists, ensuring you leave with the knowledge, confidence, and connections to make smart investment decisions. 

Join us and learn how to become a strategic investor fueling innovation—while positioning yourself for potential high returns. 

Dates: July 10, 17 & 24, 2025
Time: 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Fee: $149
Format: In-person

Seats are limited—reserve your spot today! 
Make your payment on our Marketplace. 

Marketing as a small business can feel overwhelming, but this course provides a solid foundation for long-term marketing success. By focusing on your brand identity and marketing strategy first, you’ll ensure that your marketing resonates with your target audience, creates consistency and drives breakthrough results. Plus, it allows you to measure and refine your efforts over time to continuously improve your outcomes.

In this session, you’ll begin by understanding what brand identity is, why it matters, and the essential components that make up your brand “DNA.” Once you have clarity on your brand, we’ll dive into creating a marketing strategy tailored to your business. Key topics include setting clear objectives, identifying your target audience, prioritizing messages, and more. You’ll also learn time-saving tips and AI tricks that will simplify your marketing efforts.

By the end of the session, you will have a brand identity and marketing plan template in hand, leaving you well on your way to effective, results-driven marketing.

Dates: July 15 OR October 28
Times: 9:00am – 12:00 p.m.
Fee: $79
Format: In-Person
Make your payment on our Marketplace

This course is designed to help small businesses and entrepreneurs understand the critical role of a Capability Statement in securing government contracts. Participants will learn the key elements needed to create a compelling and professional Capability Statement that effectively communicates their business’s core competencies, differentiators, and past performance to government agencies. Through real-world examples, the course will walk attendees through best practices for formatting, saving, and tailoring their statements to different agencies and contracting opportunities. Additionally, participants will gain insights into the registration process, certifications, and contact information that enhance credibility and responsiveness.

Dates: Monthly on third Wednesday, see our event calendar for all dates
Time: 9:00am-10:30am
Fee: None
Format: Virtual

In this introductory 1.5 hour class to government contracting, we cover how to navigate, research and connect to the government marketplace. Attendees will leave with useful tools and next steps to compete for government contracts on the federal, state or local level.

After attending this class, any business may sign up for the Missouri APEX Accelerator Services.

Our Missouri APEX free services include:
• Strategic Approaches
• Marketing to Government Agencies
• Researching Past & Current Bid Opportunities
• Bid – Prep, Review, Submittal & Post
• Registrations
• Small Business Certifications – Federal, State & Local
• Education Resources
• Other Guidance As Needed

Dates: Monthly on first Wednesday, see our event calendar for all dates
Time: 9:00am-10:30am
Fee: None
Format: Virtual

With a 360° perspective, businesses can avoid blind spots and make smarter decisions. This workshop introduces the GrowthWheel® Framework with participants taking home tools, Decision Sheets and 30-60-90 Day Plans.

How can GROWTH 360 help your business?

• Supports the decision making we do every day.
• Supplies a visual toolkit for dialogue, focus, agenda setting, decision-making and action- taking.
• Provides a simple action oriented process to help you grow.
• Stays true to the way most entrepreneurs think and work.
• Helps companies determine which areas to focus on to strengthen and grow their business.
• Gives an alternative to the conventional business plan.

Please note the qualifications and email us if you have any questions:

At least 2 years in business
$50,000 or more in revenue prior year
Owner working full time in business

Dates: Beginning on May 30 OR September 8, 2025
Time: 9:00am – Noon on Fridays (May session), Mondays (Sept session)
  Attendance at all 10 weeks of classes is expected
Fee: $899
Format: In-Person

Register here!
Scholarships may be available.

Do you need funding for your business, but don’t know where to start with your pitch to a potential investor?

Learn the best strategies to convince investors that you are worth their money, and avoid the common pitfalls made by many businesses.

In the Pitching to Investors class, learn:

• Investor pet peeves
• Selling your product
• Market characteristics
• Competitive analyses
• Do’s and don’ts of financial slides
• The “ask” and the “leave”

This workshop is presented by Michele Weigand, managing partner of Focused Perspective with more than 27 years of finance and business development experience. She was the former chief investment officer for KTEC and managed investments for GE Mortgage and GE Reinsurance.

Dates: September 24, 2025
Time: 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Fee: $79
Format: In-Person
Make your payment at our Marketplace

In this 3-part, virtual, training series, you’ll learn how to avoid a common pitfall of entrepreneurship—no customer, no business. You’ll validate your idea through customer discovery and ensure your business concept solves real problems for real, paying customers before investing a lot of time and money.

Entrepreneurs often jump straight into building and branding their business, only to find themselves stuck in the Startup Loop of Despair—facing low sales or market indifference. In “Proof to Profit,” you’ll learn how to gather proof through interviews, surveys, observations, and small experiments. We tap into the wisdom of All in Startup by Diana Kander to learn the how to do customer discovery, prove your concept, and turn it into sustainable profit.

This class is a prerequisite to StartSmart.

Sr. Business Development Consultant, Joel Barrett, leads the course.  He is a serial entrepreneur and business owner. Since 2017, he has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs annually and taught a wide array of training sessions at the SBDC.

Included with the class:

• A digital copy of All In Startup by Diana Kander
• Group discussion and coaching
• Tools and resources to gather proof of concept
• One-on-one business coaching sessions

Session Dates: begins May 20 OR September 2, 2025.
Times: 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Fee: $199
Format: Virtual

Register here!

Learn how to identify key business information that is captured on an income statement and balance sheet in this basic financial class. Participants will learn to calculate several ratios and understand what those ratios mean in terms of business productivity and success. Leave this session with a greater understanding of how to read and interpret financial documents and how to use that information to drive business decisions.

Dates: July 1 OR October 14, 2025
Times: 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Fee: $79
Format: Virtual
Make your payment on our Marketplace. 

Bootcamp is a two day event. Attendance on both days is required for participation.

Do you have an innovative, significant technology with commercial potential?

Are you interested in or planning to apply for one of the lucrative SBIR or STTR research grants offered by the Federal Government?

Then the SBIR Bootcamp may be right for you. Open to qualified participants, the 2-day Bootcamp will be taught by Julie Assel, one of the area’s top grant-writers, and Missouri SBDC technology development and commercialization expert, Dr. Julie Edge. They will lead you through the process of developing an SBIR or STTR grant proposal. You will receive group and one-on-one coaching as you work through each section of the grant application. By the end of the bootcamp, you will have developed an outline for your grant proposal.

$2500 Phase 0 grants may be available to qualified companies for grant-writing assistance.
More information will be available at the bootcamp.

Dates: September 23 & 24, 2025
Time: 9-4pm day 1 & 9-2pm day 2
Fee: $79
Format: Virtual
Make your payment on our Marketplace. 

This series of classes are for those businesses that have the ability to reach well over $1M revenue or, if already there continue the upward trajectory.

This is a very selective opportunity for those that qualify:

• At least $250,000 in revenue in past year
• At least 2 employees with owner working full time in/on business
• At least 2 years in business
• Able to make the commitment to all 17 sessions on Thursdays from 8:30 am to Noon (approximate)

Applications for Cohort 15 (beginning Summer 2025) are now open. 

Cohort 15 begins on August 7, 2025 and runs through November 20, 2025. Deadline for applications is July 18 and decisions will be sent out by July 21.

Apply Here

Every business needs fuel to grow, and funding is one of the most critical ingredients. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale, this dynamic course will walk you through a wide range of funding sources to help power your business. Explore traditional options like bank loans and SBA loans, while also diving into alternative solutions such as micro-loans, crowdfunding, investors, and grants.

We’ll break down the 5 C’s of bank lending criteria so you understand exactly what lenders look for when evaluating your loan application. You’ll also discover how to leverage owner investment, credit cards, and other creative funding pathways to meet your capital needs. From determining the right fit for your business to crafting a funding strategy that aligns with your goals, this class equips you with the tools to secure the financial support you need to thrive.

Join us and take the next step toward fueling your entrepreneurial journey!

Dates: July 8 OR October 21, 2025
Times: 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Fee: $79
Format: Virtual
Make your payment on our Marketplace

What’s the secret to winning on social media? You need to define the right strategy for your brand, which means you need to know where, when and how to show up for your audience. It’s all about having a good, first impression (so they can find you!) and then consistently creating content that resonates with them (so they stick around for more!).

In this workshop, led by award-winning content marketer Maggie Glenski, you will learn how to determine your brand’s strategy, optimize your profiles and create content efficiently so your brand can start winning on social.

(Part 1) Determining your strategy for social
Before you get on social, you have to know why you’re on it, who you’re trying to reach and where to find them. We’ll dive into:

• Defining your objective
• Knowing your target audience
• Determining the right platforms for you

(Part 2) Optimizing your profile for success
Now that you know your key strategies, let’s make sure you’re showing up on social with a good first impression. Are your Instagram or LinkedIn profiles set up to attract and convert users?

(Part 3) Creating content efficiently
Now that you’re ready to show up, let’s tackle one of the toughest challenges for small businesses – how to consistently post on social when you don’t have a team or plenty of time.

Learn more about our speaker:

Maggie Glenski is an award-winning advertising leader who gained expertise in content strategy and development by managing some of the most memorable brands in the world – Gatorade, Tropicana, Intel, Dannon, ExxonMobil, and Toyota. After working in global ad agencies like VML, BBDO, and Dentsu for 10+ years, Maggie left her job to follow her dreams of being a mom and female founder. Through her company, Wrinkle’s Content Studio, Maggie partners with ambitious, small business founders to grow their brands through high-quality content and strategic thinking that you’d typically see from large agencies, at a fraction of the cost. She’s a content strategist who specializes in helping founders grow with intentional social media, email and blog content.

Date: July 22, OR November 4, 2025
Times: 9:00am – 12:00 p.m.
Fee: $79
Make your payment on our Marketplace

Starting a business is an exciting journey, but it’s essential to lay the groundwork for success. StartSmart: Your Business Foundations is a dynamic, hands-on, interactive course designed for aspiring entrepreneurs who are ready to turn their ideas into thriving businesses.

You will learn how to:

• Validate that there’s a market for your product or service
• Conduct effective customer discovery and market research
• Craft a compelling elevator pitch to attract interest and investment
• Build a customer persona to better understand your audience
• Navigate legal structures and essential considerations for your business
• Understand the basics of accounting, bookkeeping, pricing, and sales
• Explore HR essentials, from hiring to managing contractors
• Develop strategies to ensure long-term profitability and growth

Class Includes:

• Proof2Profit access (curriculum + LIVE virtual sessions)
• A comprehensive binder packed with worksheets and resources to expand on what you learn in class
• Group learning, lively discussions, and coaching in a collaborative environment
• One-on-one coaching sessions with an SBDC business coach for personalized guidance
• Access to the LivePlan toolkit for writing your business plan and creating 3 years of sales projections
• Networking opportunities with other entrepreneurs and business owners
• Access to four single-session classes right for any phase of business: Reading & Understanding Financial Statements, Show Me the Money! Navigating Funding Options for Your Business, Social Media for Small Business, and Branding 101 (must be completed before the next session begins – you will be automatically enrolled).

Each session is packed with real-world applications, interactive activities, and expert guidance. You’ll leave with practical tools and a clear roadmap to take your business from concept to launch.

Whether you’re at the idea stage or have just started, **StartSmart: Your Business Foundations** will give you the confidence and knowledge to succeed. Secure your spot today and get ready to turn your vision into reality!

StartSmart sessions begin May 20 OR September 23, 2025. Register here!

If your early-stage company has just formed a board (or are about to), Startup Boards 101 is designed for you.

This series of three workshops (attendence at all three required) helps entrepreneurs and potential board members understand the whys, whats and hows of early-stage boards.

Those selected founders will have moved beyond the startup stage, will be seriously considering the benefits of an advisory or fiduciary board and will benefit from networking with potential board members.

Spots are limited . Complete the application for consideration as a founder or potential board member.

Dates: August 7, 14 & 21, 2025
Time: 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Fee: $149
Format: In-Person

Make your payment on our Marketplace. 

You’re on the cusp of developing a cutting-edge technology or science-based business while Kansas City’s entrepreneurial community is buzzing and moving faster than ever before. You want to be part of it, but you need help with the details, including funding and intellectual property protection. Designed specifically by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, this program is an intensive eight-session course designed to give technology and science based entrepreneurs a proven framework and network of connections to help grow a great idea into the next viable innovation.

Experienced business coaches and successful entrepreneurs work together to facilitate critical teachings, guide lively small group sessions, and share practical experiences to enhance your business. Participants learn with and from their peers, creating a powerful network that continues well after the program is complete.

Topics Include:

• Identifying funding & investors
• Pre- & post-money valuation
• Pitching to investors
• Financial projections & management
• Due diligence
• Deal sheets
• Legal structures
• Business feasibility & demand

Dates: Beginning August 20, 2025
Times: 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Thursdays
Fee: $649 ($150 with a scholarship)
Format: In-Person
Scholarships: May be available. 

APPLY HERE for the scholarship or make your payment here in our portal to register. 

When you complete the Value Builder Score questionnaire, you’ll get an estimate of value and an overall Value Builder Score out of 100 plus your score on the eight key drivers of value, which when addressed are statistically proven to increase the value of your company.

Whether you want to sell soon or just know you’re building a valuable asset for the future, improving your Value Builder Score gives you an immediate and quantifiable return on investment. In a study of over 70,000 businesses, companies that achieve a Value Builder Score of 80+ (out of a possible 100) go on to sell at a 71% premium compared to average-scoring businesses.

Do you have a technology business that needs funding? This introductory seminar explains how to win Small Business Initiative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) grants from federal programs that provide research and development (R&D) funds for small businesses.

Learn how to find grants, how to apply, and the best strategies to gain funding for a growing technology business. The highly competitive SBIR program encourages domestic small businesses to engage in federal research and research development (R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. SBIR enables small businesses to explore technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation’s R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs. Numerous Kansas City area companies have successfully funded their research with SBIR/STTR grants that can total up to $1.5 million for each business. Learn how your business could qualify.

Date: September 16, 2025
Time: 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Fee: None
Format: Virtual
Register here by September 15!

Scaling a business takes more than just growth—it requires a strong, aligned team. As your company expands, it’s easy for team members to lose focus or struggle in the wrong roles. Understanding how your team works best can help you improve productivity, morale, and long-term success.

The Working Genius Assessment is a simple yet powerful tool that helps employees identify their strengths and challenges. Unlike typical personality tests, this assessment focuses 80% on productivity and 20% on personality, giving you clear insights into how each team member contributes. Since no one person excels in all six “geniuses,” teams that use this tool see immediate improvements in efficiency, teamwork, and burnout reduction.

The Missouri SBDC sponsors the Working Genius Workshop, led by a certified facilitator. This engaging session includes:

✔ A 15-minute individual assessment and personalized report
✔ A team map to visualize strengths and gaps
✔ A 90-minute interactive development session (available in person or online)

Our own SBDC team has completed this workshop, and it has transformed how we collaborate, solve problems, and execute ideas.

Date/Time: TBD
Fee: Contingent on team size – contact us for more info!