Kansas City Current

Innovators Roundtable title graphic presented by Bank of America.

KC Current Innovators Roundtable presented by Bank of America. October 8th at CPKC Stadium, supporting the entrepreneurs innovating in KC. Designed in partnership with The Porter House KC as its programming partner.

EVENT DATE: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
EVENT TIME: 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
EVENT TYPE: In-Person
LOCATION: CPKC Stadium (1460 Front Street, Kansas City, MO 64120)

APPLY DIRECTIONS

About the event:
A free, immersive, one day ecosystem connection event hosted by The Kansas City Current, Presented by Bank of America. Together we will bridge emerging local entrepreneurs with Kansas City’s innovation ecosystem, helping founders discover who, what, and where to connect. This initiative brings critical resources and relationships into one place. Designed in partnership with The Porter House KC as its programming partner. The Porter House KC is an entrepreneurial support organization bridging the gap between underrepresented entrepreneurs and community driven resources.

As community leaders in sport, business, and infrastructure, KC Current and Bank of America can help bridge the gap. Kansas City’s entrepreneurial energy is strong, but too many emerging entrepreneurs don’t know how to plug in.

Whether you’re just starting to explore your business idea or have been building for a year, this event is designed to help you move forward. You’ll gain:

Tangible support from resources including entrepreneur support organizations, KC BizCare, KCSourceLink, Made MOBB and others
A network of like-minded entrepreneurs in the growth process
Insights from KC Current Midfielder & Entrepreneur Lo’eau LaBonta, KC Current Defender & Pitchside Coffee Co-Owner Elizabeth Ball, Bank of America Sr. VP, Kara J. Miller, and Chris Goode, Founder/CEO of Ruby Jean’s Juicery.
Action-oriented sessions supporting the curation, building, and streamlining of your business creation journey

Candidates must meet the following criteria for consideration to the Innovators Roundtable:

Company Stage: In operation for 0-18 months
Growth Validation: Demonstrates early traction or exhibits clear, scalable growth potential
Strategic Development: Actively developing & refining a comprehensive business strategy
Mission & Impact: Business model delivers a positive community impact or addresses a significant market or social need
Commitment: Able to commit to full participation in all scheduled roundtable sessions
Collaboration: Prepared to engage in collaborative dialogue with peers, experts, and partners

Application Process

Complete a short application form outlining business concepts, current stage, and growth goals.
Applications are reviewed to ensure they meet basic eligibility criteria:
- Business operating for 0-18 months
- Demonstrated committed to growth and strategy development

Participant Selection

Selection Panel: Representatives from KC Current, Bank of America, and Porter House KC
Selection of Participants Based On:
- Entrepreneur's readiness to launch and sustain their business
- Alignment with partner community values of innovation, equity, empowerment, collaboration, and inclusion
- Viability of the business concept and its potential to positively impact the local economy and address community needs

Final Selection:
From the applicant pool, only twenty-five (25) applicants will be selected to participate. Limit one (1) representative per business. Selection will be based on the overall score based on the criteria listed above. All decisions of the selection panel are final.

Application Deadline: 5:00PM Friday, September 26, 2025
Notifications sent by Friday, Oct 3, 2025

FAQ'S

Where is the one-day event being held?

All sessions will be hosted at the CPKC Stadium (1460 Front Street, Kansas City, MO 64120), with free parking available nearby.

Who can I reach out to with questions?

You can contact Miranda Schultz at mschultz@theporterhousekc.com. We’re happy to talk through details, help with your application, or point you toward additional information.

Why do I have to apply?

We want to make sure this program is the right fit for where you are in your business journey. The application helps us understand your goals, your needs, and how we can best support you.

Why is it limited to a certain number of participants?

We intentionally keep the group small so each participant gets personalized attention, meaningful connections, and access to opportunities that wouldn't be possible in a larger setting.

Who can apply?

Entrepreneurs and small business owners who are poised for growth and ready to actively develop their strategy. This program is designed for those committed to investing the effort to scale their operations and achieve their next milestone.

What’s the time commitment?

Just one day - 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We pack a lot of value (and even a little fun) into those hours, so you’ll want to be there for it all.

What happens after I apply?

A selection panel will review applicants and notify all selected participants by Friday, Oct 3. Please hold Oct 8 on your calendar in the event you are selected to participate.

Is there a cost to participate?

Nope - our amazing partners make it possible for selected entrepreneurs to participate at no cost. We are grateful for their continued support.