GEWKC returns to Union Station with maker fair, packed lineup of startup, small biz speakers

Entrepreneurship takes center stage Nov. 17-20 as Global Entrepreneurship Week-Kansas City — and some of the most-anticipated business events of the year — take over Union Station with the help of a wide range of small business owners and community leaders.

“Every year, we think we can’t possibly top the previous year; and yet every year, our attendees, speakers, makers and supporters blow us away,” said Callie England, director of GEWKC. “This event is one of the highlights of our year because it shows everything the Innovation Center and our partners do for entrepreneurs, all in one place.”

GEWKC is free to attend and open to every entrepreneur, innovator, side-gig-haver and small business owner in Kansas City, she said, noting visitors to the Union Station-based event series will be greeted by an array of vendors at GEWKC’s Maker Fair, which returns for 2026 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

“Businesses genuinely grow because of what happens at GEWKC. That’s why we keep building on it, year after year,” England said.

An off-site kick-off event is planned for 4:30 p.m. Monday at J. Rieger, sponsored by Polsinelli and Busey Bank.

Click here to register for the opening night happy hour event.

RELATED: How Polsinelli stepped onto the national stage without stepping away from its KC roots

Among the other core events starting the week  of GEWKC sessions, workshops and meetups:

• 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17 — “What it takes to build and fund life sciences companies” — Join a discussion between industry leaders and founders from across biotechnology, healthcare, agriculture, diagnostics, medical devices, and digital health. (Chamber Board Room, Union Station)
• 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17 — “Candid conversations about growth and investment” — Investment leaders from Keystone Angels, KCRise Fund and Network Kansas join founders for a tough conversation about funding and why a “no” doesn’t have to be personal. (Chamber Board Room, Union Station)
• 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18 — “Inside the IDEA Fund and beyond” — KC Biohub’s Melissa Roberts Chapman and Melissa Grizzle, director of investments at Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC), take a deep dive into the IDEA Fund — Missouri’s state-sponsored venture capital program — exploring how it works, who it’s for, and what entrepreneurs should know about accessing investment capital. (Chamber Board Room, Union Station)
• 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18 — “How to build a brand people feel part of (not just buy from)” — Dulcinea Herrera, CEO of Café Corazón, explores how her independent coffee company became an award-winning community brand by leading with purpose, culture, and strategic partnerships.
• 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18 — “AltCap Your Biz Pitch Competition“ — $60,000 in prizes are up for grabs as 10 finalist vie for first place and a Fan Favorite award. The event begins with five pre-filmed semi-finalist pitches, followed by the Top 5 live pitches on stage. (Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre, Union Station)

Click here for the full GEWKC schedule of events and here to register for free.

New to this year’s events: a sold-out Youth Entrepreneurship Day Friday at the University of Missouri-Kansas City — an immersive day for high school students to learn from real entrepreneurs, test their ideas, and see themselves as founders.

Students are expected to hear from keynote speakers, learn directly from entrepreneurs about their experiences, challenges and success, participate in interactive breakout sessions and much more.

Launched as part of KCSourceLink’s Forging the Future regional initiative, the program aims to strengthen innovation and economic opportunity across Kansas City by building the next generation of entrepreneurs.

“As a business owner who employs students, this initiative is close to my heart,” said Rachelle Hofstetter, a KCSourceLink Community Navigator, Forging the Future organizer, and entrepreneur who owns Plato’s Closet in Belton, Missouri. “Our youth have intelligent, sound ideas around business concepts but need mentors and others pouring into them to help foster and grow their skills. The youth are the future of entrepreneurship in Kansas City, and we must invest in them. This event is one way we can do that.”