Our world experienced incredible change in 2020. Our team hung tight to a mantra through it all: “Even when it feels like everything has changed, our purpose remains the same.” It has always been our mission to make Springfield, Missouri the best place in the country to start and grow a business.
As the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the world, our team reacted like many business owners and focused on pivoting quickly to assist our clients. While businesses were innovating and finding new ways to connect with customers, we were doing much of the same. Overnight consultations moved online, training events became virtual, and we leaned into the partnerships we’ve worked hard to cultivate. We even shared a few words with MOSourceLink about the adjustments we made.
As a result of these moves, our team did some truly incredible work in 2020. Business consultants with the Missouri SBDC at Missouri State University have been on the frontline assisting businesses in our region. They’ve helped business owners shift business models, navigate disaster relief funding, control cash flow, and more. Our programs have worked alongside businesses of all sizes to address workforce challenges and help organizations prepare for whatever may come next.
We know that innovation and thinking big will be what moves our world forward. We’re proud to support the dreamers and doers who will lead the way.
As Coronavirus cases surged, StepNpull’s global sales exploded. The Missouri-Made product (and efactory alum) is being used by the likes of Google, Nissan and the U.S. military.
When supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) ran short around the world, Missouri State University’s Jordan Valley Innovation Center (JVIC) opened its doors to help. The innovation center worked closely with CoxHealth to create PPE for healthcare workers using 3D-printing and laser-cutting technology.
Businesses faced uncertainty and confusion throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn how the Missouri SBDC at MSU helped Vision Clinic navigate COVID chaos.
The Missouri SBDC at MSU has been on the frontline assisting businesses. The team pivoted quickly to expand services and offer virtual training opportunities. Our regional focus was strengthened with the creation of new partnerships with Show Me Christian County, the Ozarks Small Business Incubator, and Taney County Partnership.
In August we wrote our version of a love letter to the Queen City. The world had changed and has changed even more since then – but we feel like our words are as true now as ever.
Our community has incredible potential. And we can’t let the complexity of a problem prevent us from starting. We’re ready to do more of this work in the new year.
Unprecedented times didn’t prevent clients from achieving big things in 2020. We celebrated new coworking members, incubator client graduations, and countless other wins. Our team helped client companies launch new ventures and create jobs in our region. Consultants with the Missouri SBDC at Missouri State University provided more than 5,000 hours of 1:1 business consulting.
Compatio’s XRS smart recommendation system went live with merchants in 2020, making it easier than ever for retailers to get the right product into customers’ hands. Founder Tim Baynes is an efactory accelerator alum and leads a team distributed across Missouri, California, Ireland, and India.
Hearo Technologies launched a pilot program with Arc of the Ozarks to use Hearo’s remote technology to increase the independence of individuals who receive intellectual and/or developmental disability services. Hearo went on to graduate from our incubator in the fall of 2020.
The video production crew moved up and out in the fall of 2020 – while helping an east coast Kickstarter project raise more than $300,000.
We’re also big fans of thinking outside the startup. We know process improvement, culture building and MVPs are just as important to our region’s largest employers. Corporate innovation events, workforce development training, and custom-tailored solutions are just a few ways we support innovation and workforce development throughout southwest Missouri.
The Springfield Entrepreneurial & Innovation Network pushed through pivots in 2020 to emerge bigger and better than ever. These innovation leaders held virtual roundtables focused on everything from empowering employees to managing pilot projects.
5th Annual CoxHealth Innovation Accelerator, January 2020 (Pre-COVID)
Our expansion on the second and third floors added nearly 10,000 square feet to our footprint. The space contains eight new private offices as well as conference and meeting space.
We’re prepared to safely host in-person, hybrid, and virtual events thanks to upgraded technology made possible from Greene County, Missouri Department of Economic Development and the Missouri Technology Corporation.
Before & After: Unfinished portions of the second floor have been transformed into private incubator offices.
Spending time together is an important part of fostering community. We’ve worked hard to stay connected when we can’t be together IRL.
The year kicked off with dozens of great in-person events. We quickly moved programming online in March, and went on to host everything from disaster loan webinars to virtual tours of the building.
Doug Harris and his innovative plumbing support products won $10,000 at this year’s Pitch Contest, presented by RMI. The Stone County business is ready to go national with their patented products.
We know we’ve got the team, skills and commitment to accomplish even bigger and better things in 2021. Keep your eyes peeled for exciting announcements we’ll be sharing in the coming weeks and months.
We hope you’ll be just as excited as we are about the future of innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development in southwest Missouri.
Ashley Andreas, Bass Pro Shops
Dr. Jim Baker, Missouri State University
Dan Cobb
Scott Dalenberg, SRC Holdings
Tamara Conn, O’Reilly Automotive
Jason Gage, City of Springfield
Gary Gibson, City Utilities
Amanda Hedgpeth, CoxHealth
Brent Hubbard, Mercy
Matt Morrow, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
Barbara Picarelli, Brewer Science
Dr. Kim Prater
Jeff Schrag, Mother’s Brewing Company
Clif Smart, Missouri State University
Jack Thurman, BKD Wealth Advisors
