Columbia, MO – August 6, 2024 – The Missouri Innovation Center (MIC) is honored to be one of the six recipients of the 2024 Regional Node Grant, announced by the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC). This prestigious grant program, designed to bolster innovation and entrepreneurship across Missouri, has allocated a total of $1.3 million to establish and support regional nodes throughout the state.
In partnership with the Missouri Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), Moberly Area Community College, and other area stakeholders, MIC will establish a “Central Missouri Regional Node.” This node will serve as a crucial hub for entrepreneurial activity, acting as a “gateway” to resources that empower entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses.
This grant will enable us to bring together key partners and resources to create a cohesive and supportive environment for entrepreneurs in Central Missouri. The node will focus on encouraging the entrepreneurial culture in the region by highlighting the stories of local entrepreneurs and showcasing that successful entrepreneurship is the region. By identifying and curating a comprehensive catalog of entrepreneurial resources, the node will address gaps in the region’s ecosystem and work collaboratively with partners to develop or leverage resources from other regional nodes across the state.
Over the next two years, the grant will be instrumental in establishing and operating the Central Missouri node, which will encompass 25 counties and cover approximately one-fourth of the state. This node will not only provide a central portal for entrepreneurs to access resources but also create spaces for collaboration, idea-sharing, and community building among entrepreneurs.
The Missouri Innovation Center is grateful to the Missouri Technology Corporation for their support and looks forward to working with its partners and the broader community to build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that will drive economic growth and foster innovation in the region.
For more information about the Missouri Innovation Center and its upcoming offerings, please visit www.missouriinnovation.com
