Efactory, SBDC launch entrepreneur support initiative

Last edited 1:35 p.m., June 30, 2021

The Missouri Technology Corp. last month announced a grant for Missouri State University's Efactory business incubator.

Now, more details on the planned use of the $250,000 in funding have been released. Supercharge Southwest Missouri is a partnership between the Efactory and the Missouri Small Business Development Center at MSU to address entrepreneurial challenges in the region, according to a news release.

"Supercharge Southwest Missouri is a collaborative, regional initiative designed to address the significant challenges facing entrepreneurs, business owners and innovators as a result of the coronavirus pandemic," officials said in the release.

Supercharge Southwest Missouri will provide entrepreneurs with business consulting, executive-level mentorship, access to attorneys, accountants and other professionals, and on-demand business training. The services are available at no cost to participants.

More than 50 organizations, including BKD LLP, Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc. and CoxHealth, have signed on as supporters that will provide resources and support services to participants.

The grant announced last month was part of more than $1 million awarded by the MTC for entrepreneurs and research institutions statewide, according to past reporting.