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Apply by Aug. 31 for the Next Round of E-Scholars at UMKC

E-Scholars – a local program that’s helped an army of local entrepreneurs launch their businesses – is taking applications now for its next cohort.

Up to 35 ventures will be selected for the next round of E-Scholars, which is operated by the Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

The application deadline is Aug. 31, and training will start on Sept. 9. You can apply and get more information at this website.

Over the course of nine months, the selected entrepreneurs will take part in 14 daylong workshops (held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays) across two semesters. They’ll receive training, mentoring and coaching designed to nurture their business idea into reality.

And a business idea – along with a willingness to work hard, accept feedback and be flexible – are the main prerequisites for E-Scholars. Though it’s an academic-style program, organizers don’t have detailed requirements when it comes to degrees or GPAs. Participants don’t have to be UMKC students, though UMKC students can and do join E-Scholars.

“We help early-stage ventures build a solid foundation for a successful launch, by guiding them through a process to test their assumptions, build on their ideas and develop a strategy to make their idea a reality,” said Stephanie Campbell, assistant director of the Regnier Institute.

Everyone accepted into E-Scholars receives a $5,000 scholarship that covers a majority of program costs. The scholarships are courtesy of the Kauffman Foundation, the Regnier Family Foundation and other donors.

Ventures involving community members must still pay a $1,000 fee ($500 each semester) though there’s a 20 percent discount for paying it all up front. Ventures involving UMKC graduates can also get a 20 percent discount. UMKC students seeking academic credit only pay the cost of the tuition for courses related to E-Scholars.

Past E-Scholars companies include RFP365, Lending Standard and Mobility Designed, among others.