Applications are now open for ScaleUP! Kansas City, a new program that will help 12 to 15 local entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

The program will be managed by the University of Missouri-Kansas City Innovation Center, which was awarded one of eight ScaleUP! America program contracts nationwide by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

ScaleUP! Kansas City applicants are required to:

• Lead a company that has been in business at least two years.
• Generate annual sales between $150,000 and $500,000.
• Have a strong market than can generate more than $1 million in sales.

While growth-minded entrepreneurs selected to the five-month program will already be earning substantial revenue, the goal is to provide them with the professional support and know-how needed for their firms to ascend to the next level.

ScaleUP! Kansas City will offer instruction through FastTrac, Listening to Your Business and FastTrac GrowthVenture courses. Other knowledge will come from the Kauffman Founders School, peer-to-peer roundtables and “collision” sessions between the program’s participating entrepreneurs and those who can help them expand their businesses.

In addition, the ScaleUP! Kansas City program will seek to establish potentially lifelong connections between its participating entrepreneurs and peer cohorts who have experienced comparable business challenges while growing.

ScaleUP! Kansas City applications will be accepted through Dec. 10. The selection committee will conduct interviews and site visits during December. The program is scheduled to launch in mid-January.

To apply, go to scaleupkc.com.