Innovate24

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Innovate24 supports Greater Manhattan entrepreneurs through education, community, and storytelling.

Launched in 2020, Spark serves as the entrepreneurship hub of Greater Manhattan, Kansas. Spark provides education, connections and community for entrepreneurs and startup founders in order to ignite a dynamic and inclusive culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in the region. Spark connects the entrepreneurship ecosystem of the Flint Hills by sponsoring and supporting entrepreneurship-focused programming throughout the region. Get started with Spark at a free Entrepreneur Navigation session at sparkmhk.com/start

10/14/2026

What's Your Biggest Financial Pain Point?
Be honest, which of these keeps you up at night (or at least gives you a headache)?

• 💸 Cash flow — I never know if I'll have enough
• 📒 Bookkeeping — staying on top of it is a struggle
• 📊 Budgeting — I don't have a real budget, or it doesn't hold
• 🧾 Tax prep — I dread it every year

Let us know in the comments! Your answer directly shapes the financial topics we tackle in future Start Smart sessions.

10/12/2026

You don't have to love numbers to run a successful business, but you do have to understand them.

Financial management is consistently one of the top pain points we hear from entrepreneurs. Cash flow surprises, tax season stress, not knowing if you're actually profitable, these are real and common challenges.

This week we're asking two specific questions about where financial management feels hardest for you. The more we know, the better we can build learning content that addresses what's actually getting in the way.

Polls drop Wednesday and Friday. We'd love your input! 👇

10/09/2026

Where Are You Putting Your Marketing Energy?

Marketing means different things to different business owners.
Right now, where do you spend most of your marketing time and effort?

• 📱 Social media (organic posts, stories, reels)
• 🗣️ Word of mouth and referrals
• 💌 Email marketing or direct outreach
• 💵 Paid advertising (social ads, Google, etc.)

No wrong answers here — we want to know where you're already showing up so we can help you do it better.

Drop your answer in the comments!

10/07/2026

Where Does It Break Down?
When it comes to getting customers, which step trips you up the most?

• 🎯 Finding the right people to target
• 💬 Explaining what I do in a way that resonates
• 🤝 Turning interest into an actual sale
• 🔁 Getting customers to come back or refer others

Comment down below— your answer helps us understand where entrepreneurs need the most support.

10/05/2026

Every business needs customers. But for a lot of entrepreneurs, figuring out how to get them — and keep them — is one of the hardest parts of running a business.

This week we're diving into Sales & Marketing Fundamentals. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, understanding the basics of how to attract, communicate with, and convert customers is foundational to everything else.

This week we'll be asking you two specific questions about where sales and marketing feels hardest for you — your answers help us design future Start Smart sessions around what entrepreneurs actually need.

Stay tuned Wednesday and Friday for the polls! 👇

09/30/2026

Tomorrow is the night!

Join for a fireside-style conversation with Bryan Shannon — founder of TicketRX and author of Bootstrap to Exit — hosted by K-State's Collegiate Entrepreneurship Club and Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills.

Bryan built and exited a business most people never knew existed. Tomorrow night he's sharing how he did it and what he'd tell his earlier self.

📅 Tomorrow — Thursday, October 1
🕠 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Business Building 1088 — K-State Manhattan Campus

Free and open to everyone. Entrepreneurs, students, investors, curious minds.
Come give Bryan a warm Manhattan welcome!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AfwE2hjto/

09/28/2026

Building a business takes more than a great idea—it takes a strong network of people, resources, and opportunities to help turn that idea into reality!

We’re proud to collaborate with the K-State Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship, a key partner in our regional entrepreneurial ecosystem. As the hub for entrepreneurship education, programming, and resources at Kansas State University, the Center helps students and aspiring entrepreneurs develop their ideas, build valuable skills, and take the next steps toward launching a business.

Together, we’re working to strengthen the connections between campus and community, creating more opportunities for entrepreneurs to access the support they need to start and grow their businesses.

A stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem starts with strong partnerships!

K-State College of Business Administration

09/23/2026

Choosing the right business structure is one of the most important decisions you'll make as an entrepreneur. LLC, S-Corp, or sole proprietor- they're not interchangeable, and the wrong choice can cost you.

Our September Start Smart session breaks this down in plain language.
Free and on demand, link in bio.

09/22/2026

Looking for inspiration to turn an idea into action?

Attendees can choose Stephanie Pierce's breakout session, "From Idea to Income: Starting a Side Hustle and Knowing When to Go All In." Stephanie will share insights from her entrepreneurial journey and lessons for those ready to take the next step.

09/21/2026

Honored to celebrate Tiffany and TheraPie, recognized as Small Business of the Year.

Her leadership, creativity, and commitment to our community set the standard for what local entrepreneurship can be.

Congratulations as well to Whoville–Festival of Lights, Craig Lauppe, Happy Hippie, Meadowlark, and Bank of the Flint Hills for their well‑deserved honors.

TheraPie,LLC
Happy Hippie Aggieville
Meadowlark
Bank of the Flint Hills

Address

515 N 12th Street
Manhattan, KS
66502

Website

http://innovate24.org/, https://open.spotify.com/show/033M0BfZQxKZkssnP0CDe6?si=9vyePRwMQiObvtZfRcs7Gw

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