Know-how, inspiration and insight wanted.

Submit a proposal to share your insight, expertise and knowledge as an entrepreneur and business leader at GEWKC 2026.

KCSourceLink, a program of the Innovation Center at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, hosts Global Entrepreneurship Week in Kansas City (GEWKC) annually in partnership with the Greater KC community. All GEWKC sessions are free and open to the public.

Each year, GEWKC showcases experts, entrepreneurs and leaders who present sessions that teach and inspire business owners. GEWKC has sessions for everyone-whether attendees are just starting their business or they are seasoned pros, session topics are sure to provide relevant content that will inspire. 

Your session may also help:

  • Small business owners ready to learn or build a skill

  • Organizations and community stakeholders learn about topics of critical importance to entrepreneurship

Timeline for GEWKC Event Proposals

  • Call for Session Proposals Opens: Wednesday, June 10, 2026

  • Session Proposals Due: 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 30, 2026

  • Session Proposal Review Period: Aug 1-14

  • Presenters Informed of Selection Decision: August 28

  • GEWKC Sessions Open for Registration at gewkc.com: Sept. 1

  • GEWKC Base Camp: Nov. 17–19, 2026

  • GEWKC Community Events: Nov. 16–21, 2026

FAQ

  • Presenters are selected and curated by KCSourceLink and the GEWKC planning committee. They are committed to a positive, harassment-free experience for all participants. Our anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies can be found here

  • Anyone can submit a session.

    • Business owners with been-there-done-that experience and insights

    • Business-building organizations who help entrepreneurs reach their next milestones

    • Policy influencers and makers with updates on how entrepreneurship is supported in Kansas City

    • Corporate leaders with information on how entrepreneurs and small business owners can better work with them

    • Leaders who can share how entrepreneurship has helped build dreams, lives and communities.

  • Short Format: 60-minute total session with no more than 30-40 minutes of presentation and leaving at least 20 minutes of discussion, hands on workshop, Q&A or networking.

    Long Format: 90-minute total session with at least 20 minutes for a facilitated discussion or hands-on workshop and 10 minutes of Q&A.

  • Key Considerations for Sessions

    • Session presenters will be allotted space and AV equipment to execute their session.

    • Sessions must follow the GEWKC format listed above.

    • Timeslots will be assigned by the GEWKC planning committee.

    • Applicants may be asked to work with one another to combine related proposals into a single session.

    • Practical, actionable information that helps participants to start, scale or grow a business or engage with the entrepreneurial community.

    • In-depth presentations preferred rather than broad overviews of a topic

    • Presenters who represent various experiences, communities, markets, asset sizes, and perspectives.  For example, when preparing a session about how to access capital, consider including a borrower, partner organization or community representative.

  • Below are sample session descriptions to help you craft your GEWKC session and proposal.

    *Titles are important! They are the first introduction people get to your session and often the only part of your session that is immediately visible in GEWKC promotions and printed materials. Specific titles let people know what your session is about.

    Which of KC’s 240+ Nonprofit Resources Can Help Your Business?
    Hosted by KCSourceLink
    So, you want to start or grow your business, but you’re not sure who can help or what step to take next. This session will show you how to leverage and connect with Kansas City’s amazing entrepreneur network of hundreds of organizations, experts, coaches, events and more to help your business (or nonprofit or business idea) reach the next level.

    How to Access Alternative Financing
    Hosted by AltCap
    Learn how alternative financing can help you start and grow your small business. We will dispel some of the lending and finance myths and prepare you to become finance ready. We will also explore best practices and help you prepare to realize your dream.

The fine print you must read.

GEWKC 2026 Platform: Session presenters must add their session to the 2026 GEWKC Platform, Whova, even if the event is in person. Once added to the platform, session speakers can manage their profiles, upload their presentations, edit their session descriptions, and more. The GEWKC planning committee cannot provide compensation or reimbursement to presenters.

Session Organizer: The Session Organizer is the primary contact for all communications regarding the selected proposal and the session. The Session Organizer assumes full responsibility for the design of the session, coordination of all session presenters (if applicable), submission of all presenter and session materials, compliance with the GEWKC planning committee’s  deadlines and successful session delivery. All GEWKC sessions must be offered at no cost to the greater Kansas City community.

Session Scheduling: The GEWKC planning committee will determine the scheduling of all sessions selected to be held at base camp. The time you select on your application is your preferred time and does not mean your session will be selected for that time slot. By confirming your final selection, you agree to be available for any of the times designated for sessions from Nov. 16-19.

General community sessions will have the flexibility to select their preferred time for their sessions but may be encouraged to select alternative times that would provide additional visibility and attendance.

 

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