Congratulations to the Kansas Department of Commerce on the launch of ConnectKS, a new online platform that makes it easier for entrepreneurs and small business owners to navigate the state’s support landscape.

Built in partnership with EcoMap, ConnectKS brings together statewide programs, funding opportunities, support organizations, and events into one centralized, searchable platform. It’s designed to serve Kansas founders at every stage of business, whether they’re launching their first venture or scaling an existing company.

The platform offers real-time resource data, tailored recommendations, and alerts for events and funding opportunities, helping entrepreneurs stay connected to what’s available across the state.

The launch is part of a broader effort by the Kansas Department of Commerce to improve how small businesses engage with available resources. It’s one of the first major initiatives from the newly created Kansas Small Business Office, which now serves as a centralized point of contact in state government for everything from certifications and permitting to capital access and mentorship.

“While large corporations relocating or expanding in Kansas tend to grab the headlines, we fully acknowledge small businesses are key drivers of our state’s robust economy,” said Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland at the initiative’s launch event. “With the creation of this new division, we are committing resources to double down on that growth.”

ConnectKS brings that vision online, providing a single platform where entrepreneurs, small business owners, and ecosystem builders can find and connect with the organizations, programs, and opportunities that already exist across the state.

As Director of the Kansas Small Business Office Taylor Overton shared in the state’s announcement, “ConnectKS provides clarity, connectivity, and confidence. It takes many existing resources across our communities and organizes them under one virtual roof.”

EcoMap was proud to partner with the Kansas Department of Commerce to design and power this platform, and we’re even prouder to see it launched.