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Innovate 24 reports $155,000 in funding to local startups; Fort Riley liaison outlines community engagement
Summary
Innovate 24 told the commission it helped eight businesses secure $155,000 in local funding last year and now co-locates with the Small Business Development Center; a military-community update noted training activity at Fort Riley and an upcoming visit by Miss USA.
Darren Sole, director of economic development for the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, and Stephanie Pierce, executive director of Innovate 24, briefed the Riley County Commission on Feb. 13 about regional entrepreneurship programs and recent activity.
Pierce said Innovate 24's mission is to "create, attract, and grow innovative start ups here in the region" by offering technical assistance, mentoring, education and funding programs. She told commissioners Innovate 24 currently facilitates four local funding programs and in the past year helped eight businesses secure a total of $155,000 through those programs; she said those grants leveraged additional private financing. Pierce also said Innovate 24 engaged with more than 50 startups or small businesses in 2024.
Pierce described a new co-location in Aggieville that houses Innovate 24 and the Small Business Development Center to create an entrepreneurship hub for classes, mentoring and networking. She confirmed the organization's active loan portfolio exceeds $1,000,000.
Military and community update: Pierce introduced a colleague, who provided brief updates about Fort Riley activity and community partnerships. The presenter reported that many units were training off-site (at the National Training Center) and highlighted the 1-130th Field Artillery Brigade’s involvement in local partnerships, including STARBASE STEM education. The presenter said STARBASE is "on pause" but that local leaders are working with legislators to try to restore programming. The presenter also said a visit by Miss USA, Alma Cooper — who is also identified as a first lieutenant — is planned with stops at Fort Riley, Manhattan High School and Kansas State University to highlight topics including food insecurity.
Commissioners praised the collaborative approach among Innovate 24, the chamber and other regional partners and highlighted expanding training, loan and mentorship programs for entrepreneurs.
Why it matters: Local entrepreneurship support and coordinated loan/grant programs can help startups survive early years. Fort Riley’s outreach and training partnerships with schools and local institutions support workforce and educational connections in the region.
