K-State’s College of Business Administration Accelerator program supports high-growth start-up companies.
Eager entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs, get ready to jump at K-State’s College of Business Administration’s Accelerator program. This program pumps life into high-growth potential start-up companies — ranging from vineyards to health technologies to beauty services and even a chatbot that helps you learn a language.
The Accelerator provides entrepreneurs access to key K-State resources and capabilities: customized faculty workshops, alumni mentors, and student research teams. To participate in the Accelerator program, entrepreneurs must live in Kansas or be a K-State alum with a great idea.
Danielle and David Tegtmeier of Liquid Art Winery and Estate in Manhattan, Kansas, completed the entrepreneurship Accelerator program in 2015 to help launch their business. It is now one of the premier event spaces in the region. Their family has grown the business beyond winemaking, focusing on guest experience adding in a tasting room, hosting fun events, and producing new wine varietals.
“It is an opportunity that needs to be capitalized on. The program allowed us to step away from the daily grind and focus on the bigger picture. As an entrepreneur, having connections and relationships is important. We knew the program would offer that sense of community,” said Danielle.
Student involvement
Current K-State students enrolled in the entrepreneurial consulting class provide research for the Accelerator companies, learning about the consulting process, industry analysis, pricing surveys or business planning in the process.
Chad Jackson, Jack Vanier director of the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship, said there would be no Accelerator program without the support of K-State alums.
“The Accelerator [program] is funded 100% by philanthropy,” he said. “Without the generous support of alumni and stakeholders, we would not be able to provide these services to help launch and grow these high-growth companies.”
Growing bright ideas
“The K-State Accelerator program is a key component of how the college contributes to economic development in Kansas,” said Kevin Gwinner, Edgerley family dean of the College of Business Administration. “By taking high-potential businesses and helping them start or scale to be successful, we are contributing to growing the Kansas economy. We are very excited to support entrepreneurs through this innovative and impactful program that aligns well with K-State’s land-grant mission.”
Accelerator programs are familiar, and plenty of program examples exist worldwide. But this accelerator uses K-State’s unique resources to support entrepreneurs and alums, unlike any other program in Kansas. Just another reason to be K-State proud.
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Written by: Lilly Majors
*First published in February 2023
