Overview

Solutions Lab Ventures (SLV) aims to foster and activate idea-stage innovation-based entrepreneurship in Kansas City by empowering emerging tech leaders through its fellowship program. The goal is to make Kansas City a digital leader and drive the region to the forefront of innovation-led economic development.

SLV provides aspiring emerging tech entrepreneurs in Kansas City with strategic support, access to networks, and mentorship to help advance their innovative ideas into successful ventures.

Program Overview
SLV is a 9-month fellowship program managed by KC Digital Drive, designed to support early-stage tech concepts and startup ideas in the Kansas City region. The fellowship is intended for KC-affiliated projects that are in the idea stage or early development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Program Structure
Fellows in the program begin with a comprehensive 12-point strategic assessment, conducted by one of KC Digital Drive’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence. Following this, fellows embark on a six-month journey that includes regular progress checkpoints. These checkpoints are designed to provide tailored pathways, resources, and solutions to help fellows advance their projects or startups.

Key program components include:

• Personalized Pathways: Fellows are connected to program-specific, boutique Entrepreneur Support Organization (ESO) offerings.

• Networking & Socialization: High-touch engagement across KC Digital Drive’s broad networks, including academia, corporate, government, industry, and investment.

• Mentorship & Expert Guidance: Ongoing support from fractional experts, as well as access to financial capital, grants, and investors.

History & Legacy
SLV is the next evolution of the 2020/21 Comeback KC Ventures program, which was initially funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) in partnership with UMKC’s Tech Venture Studio. This original initiative helped the region recover from the pandemic through tech-driven innovations. Today, SLV attracts promising ideas and startups using emerging technologies to solve community issues. Through a resource-based fellowship program, SLV helps entrepreneurs move from concept to execution, providing expertise and mentorship to guide them toward success.

Community Impact
SLV continues to have a significant impact on the Greater Kansas City region by promoting the growth of emerging tech startups that address local community challenges. By fostering innovation and providing the support needed to succeed, SLV is driving the region toward a future of tech-led economic development.

For more information on applying to Solutions Lab Ventures, contact us at slv@kcdigitaldrive.org.