GO Topeka launches online database to map, enhance startup ecosystem
GO Topeka today announced the launch of Kansas Innovation Dealroom, a new digital platform designed to track startup activity in northeast Kansas and provide access to company information and ecosystem metrics that demonstrate how the area’s entrepreneurial ecosystem evolves over time. Used by company founders, startups and scale-ups, venture capital firms, and ecosystem stakeholders, the Dealroom platform helps stimulate connections and investments, leading to a more robust and visible startup landscape.
“We are eager to take advantage of Kansas Innovation Dealroom to better support and promote our ecosystem and engage with our existing and potential stakeholders,” said Laurie Pieper, vice president of entrepreneurship and small business for GO Topeka. “Tech startups are a major driver for new-jobs growth and importation of capital, as well as for enhancing our region’s ability to be competitive in the global marketplace.”
“Utilizing our strong partnerships with Plug and Play and our local and regional corporations, while leveraging existing innovation-related strengths in industries such as animal health, food systems, sustainable energy and fintech — we see this launch as a big opportunity to draw further attention to our innovation ecosystem and to help us grow that ecosystem through better data,” said Stephanie Moran, GO Topeka’s senior vice president of innovation.
Initially, Kansas Innovation Dealroom — which may be found at Kansas-Innovation.Dealroom.co — will focus on data and content for the greater Topeka area. It will continue to be built out as more connections are made through the platform. During the second phase, which is expected later this summer, the platform will expand to include data for the greater Manhattan area. The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce and K-State Innovation Partners are joining GO Topeka to make this a regional effort.
“We are delighted to be joining GO Topeka in the launch of Kansas Innovation Dealroom because we see this as a much-needed toolkit for enabling us to have better connectivity with startups and scaleups interested in growing in our community, and for helping connect them with potential investors from around the globe,” said Daryn Soldan, economic development director for the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce.
“There is tremendous potential for innovation and technology launches in northeast Kansas,” said Kent Glasscock, president of K-State Innovation Partners. “Regional efforts to connect with startups — and to make connections for them — are vital for giving the area a prominent place on the map of communities supporting high-growth-potential startups. K-State is excited to see the evolving partnership behind the Kansas Innovation Dealroom launch.”
“The Kansas Innovation Dealroom is an exciting example of how partners in Topeka and Manhattan are working together to advance innovation and new technologies that will create lasting economic impact for northeast Kansas,” said Lieutenant Governor and Department of Commerce Secretary David Toland. “GO Topeka’s support for high-growth-potential startups aligns perfectly with Governor Laura Kelly’s economic development policy, which is focused on developing modern skills and innovation throughout the state.”
Kansas Innovation Dealroom is specifically designed to support scaling tech communities with reliable intelligence and novel insights. It is a collaborative project that will offer the most detailed picture to-date of the northeast-Kansas tech scene. The open-access platform shines a light on overarching trends in the region; improves transparency in tech funding sources; and provides detailed data on startups, scale-ups and corporate entities in our area.
