Michael Odupitan

Network Kansas-backed collaborators ignite new entrepreneur training in Douglas County

TOPEKA — A northeast Kansas entrepreneur training program aimed at exploring and validating new business ideas is expanding into Lawrence and Douglas County — deepening equitable opportunities and boosting regional resources, said Michael Odupitan. Organizers are widening access to the Ignite: New Venture Discovery program, through a new collaboration between the Shawnee Startups eCommunity — housed at…

Topeka startup hub launches diverse entrepreneur community (with fintech help on loan from KC’s Cyphr)

TOPEKA — An initiative aimed at boosting early to mid-stage entrepreneur development in the heart of Kansas launched Friday, said Michael Odupitan, noting the effort by Topeka-based Omni Circle to redefine the startup journey — and who’s allowed to join it — comes with a Kansas City assist. “Omni’s goal is to unite and strengthen…

Only one side of the tracks: Omni Circle opens entrepreneurs ‘space to become or build their personal freedom’

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to Go Topeka, which seeks economic success for all companies and citizens across Shawnee County through implementation of an aggressive economic development strategy that capitalizes…

Michael Odupitan, Omni Circle Group, speaking at a grant announcement event at Omni Circle's in-the-works collaborative workspace

Kauffman awards Omni Circle $360K grant to help build minority small business hub

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. Editor’s…

Michael Odupitan, Omni Circle Group; photo by @BriJoRaePusch-Zuniga

Topeka is building its own startup hub; a new group is pushing those left out from survival mode to creation

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. The…