BIG NEWS FOR SMALL BUSINESS
We hope you enjoy this monthly GO Topeka newsletter geared toward small businesses, entrepreneurs and startups. We'll provide all the local business-related news you need to know about upcoming events, opportunities and much more! To offer feedback or suggestions, contact GO Topeka's Laurie Pieper at Laurie.Pieper@TopekaPartnership.com.
EXPLORE THE NEW KANSAS INNOVATION DEALROOM

Kansas Innovation Dealroom, launched in July, is a new online platform for tracking startup activity in the greater-Topeka-area ecosystem. It's designed to help make connections between startups, scaleups, various resources, and angel and venture-capital investors. The open-access, collaborative platform will continue to be built out as more users visit the site and as more companies launch, scale and connect with investors. Given the platform's regional focus, the greater Manhattan area plans to launch on the site later this summer. In the meantime, we encourage you to explore the platform at Kansas-innovation.dealroom.co! Have feedback or questions? Contact GO Topeka's Laurie Pieper, at laurie.pieper@topekapartnership.com, or Stephanie Moran, at stephanie.moran@topekapartnership.com.
GO TOPEKA REPRESENTED AT SILICON VALLEY PLUG AND PLAY SUMMIT

Plug and Play Tech Center held a summit in Silicon Valley June 14-16, with 2,000+ attendees and 200+ startups representing more than 18 Plug and Play verticals. The Animal Health and Agricultural Technology vertical headquartered in Topeka showcased five in-person and five virtual pitches, as well as a panel discussion. Attendees from Topeka included Stephanie Moran, GO Topeka's SVP of innovation; Lindsay Lebahn, Plug and Play Topeka program manager; Eric Buda, Plug and Play Topeka's senior corporate partnerships manager; and representatives from Plug and Play corporate partners Hill's Pet Nutrition and Cargill. Plug and Play remains an important strategic partner for developing Topeka's strength as a hub for innovation. To learn more about Topeka's Plug and Play vertical, click the link below, or contact Moran at stephanie.moran@topekapartnership.com or Lebahn at l.lebahn@pnptc.com.
BIOKANSAS HOSTING INNOVATION FESTIVAL IN KC

BioKansas is a nonprofit that provides important support to the biosciences ecosystem in Kansas through advocacy, workforce development, education, networking and partnership development. The nonprofit held its Topeka golf scramble in late June at Firekeeper Golf Course, with GO Topeka participating and sponsoring a hole. The event allowed GO Topeka's innovation and entrepreneurship team to provide attendees with updates on innovation in the state's capital city. Up next, BioKansas will host the BioKansas Innovation Festival Aug. 4-6 in Kansas City. The festival will feature conference programming, musical performances and more. If you attend, look for GO Topeka there! Learn more at the link below.
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR THE FALL JOURNEY OF PROPELLER

In June, GO Topeka launched Propeller, a mentorship network for entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses. Connecting Pilots (entrepreneurs) with Navigators (subject matter experts and experienced entrepreneurs) is the intent. Propeller takes the form of three-month "Journeys" designed to help businesses set course and take off to achieve their goals. Each participant is matched with up to three others, to allow for the exploration of multiple interests and connections. Are you an entrepreneur? Are you someone passionate about making connections to help build our entrepreneurial ecosystem? If so, Propeller may be a good fit! If you are interested in joining the Autumn Journey (starting in September) as either a Pilot or Navigator — or both — email Propeller@TopekaPartnership.com.
SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH EXPLORED IN LATEST INDEX

According to the MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index, most small businesses feel their companies are in good health, but there is an interesting correlation between perception of company health and the number of people the business employs. Only 57% of businesses with fewer than five employees reported their companies were in good health, in contrast with 77% of businesses with five to 19 employees and 87% of businesses with 20-499 employees. Meanwhile, 60% of small businesses have implemented changes over the past year to improve employee retention. Flexible work schedules and higher wages are the two most utilized strategies for employee recruitment and retention. Another retention strategy being seen is attention to supporting employee mental health through wellness activities and mental-health days.
GO TOPEKA WRAPS UP ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM SURVEY

GO Topeka recently wrapped up its first Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Survey. Of the companies that participated, more than half are expecting to hire additional employees within the next 12 months. Another interesting trend is that the same resources many companies report having successfully accessed to help grow their companies are ones for which other companies reported additional need. Topping the list of needs is access to support resources, growth programs, mentoring/advising, incentives, contracts and markets, and capital. For information about GO Topeka's small business support services, click the link below. For assistance reaching additional resources, contact GO Topeka's Laurie Pieper at laurie.pieper@topekapartnership.com.
DON'T MISS THIS NIST CYBERSECURITY WORKSHOP

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is hosting a virtual Cybersecurity Framework Workshop to help companies better understand and manage cyber risks through guidelines and best practices. This will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CDT on Aug. 17. To learn more or register, click the link below.
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