We didn’t have to look far to find the right person for the job. Sandra Smart has been a full-time Regional Business Consultant with the Small Business Development Center since 2017, so she knows what it takes to help businesses grow.
She has now transitioned into the Technology & Commercialization role, where she’ll work closely with early-stage, technology-based entrepreneurs. She’ll help entrepreneurs assess the feasibility of business ideas, access early funding sources such as federal SBIR/STTR programs, and explore angel or venture capital investment.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to travel, golf, go to concerts and sporting events, and spend time with family.
What excites you the most about this position?
I’m super excited to be able to focus on providing assistance to tech companies in our area, connecting faculty and companies with innovative technology to federal grants and contracts through the SBIR/STTR program, and being a part of the continued entrepreneurial growth in Springfield.
What’s your dream vacation destination?
There are lots of destinations, but I’ll go with a relaxing one – Bora Bora – I love white sand beaches, clear blue waters, and the sound of the waves.
Internet, meet the newest member of the efactory staff team!
Kim recently join our team as an Accounting Specialist. That means she’ll be busy keeping all the finances and accounting in order here at the efactory.
Kim may be new to the efactory but she’s definitely not new to Missouri State. She previously worked in the Office of Student Engagement and knows all the ins and outs of university life.
We tackled the easier stuff in the official interview and saved the really hard questions for the blog post. Read on to learn more about Kim.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Free time….What’s that?? 🙂 In the rare event this actually happens, my first and foremost passion is hunting. Outside of that, you could find me catching up on one of the many books awaiting on Kindle, or if the weather is great I could be outside working on some landscaping project, or kayaking, or biking. Or trying out new eateries.
If you could have any one super power, what would it be?
I would like to have Samantha Stephens’s magical powers (Bewitched), specifically, I would use it to zap people who are rude! 😄
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
I’m a pretty simple gal, so my bucket list is simple too. My first desire would be to own a plot of land to hunt on…100 acres would be nice…with a log cabin or a pole barn home, 2) to harvest an elk and a bear, 3) to learn how to be a taxidermist.
Which fictional character would you most like to meet in real life?
The Cookie Monster….I can relate to him.
Work With Us
Want to be part of the efactory team? We’re currently looking for an Operations Assistant to help us with everything from events to maintaining critical coffee supply levels. It’s the perfect gig for Missouri State students!
Great Southern Bank makes naming commitment to support the efactory
The local bank makes a naming-level gift to support entrepreneurship and economic development.
A Commitment to Entrepreneurship
The efactory is excited to announce that Great Southern Bank has made a naming commitment in support of the efactory and our expansion project. This generous gift will support the efactory’s ongoing efforts to foster innovation, support entrepreneurship, and grow businesses in southwest Missouri.
The physical space to be dedicated is located on the first floor of the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center. The room houses the efactory accelerator for thirteen weeks each summer and two strands of the GO CAPS program during the school year.
“The efactory is a vital resource for the growth and development of entrepreneurs and business owners in Southwest Missouri,” said Great Southern Bank President and CEO, Joe Turner. “We are proud to support their continued efforts in driving entrepreneurship and workforce development in our region.”
Great Southern Bank has a rich history of supporting the Springfield community and Missouri State University. The bank has been a member of the efactory’s partner program since 2015 and has assisted dozens of client companies through programs and services.
A Home for Growth & Innovation
The efactory accelerator program was launched in 2016. The program is designed to provide early-stage companies with capital, specialized programming, and introductions to follow-on funding. The program has invested in 17 portfolio companies, with applications for Cohort 5 opening December 1. Great Southern Bank has also made recent investments in the seed capital fund that invests in efactory accelerator portfolio companies.
The efactory also serves as the host location for two strands of the GO CAPS program. Students in the Business & Entrepreneurship and IT & Software Solutions strands work on real-world projects and job shadow with professionals at the efactory.
“Great Southern Bank is a great example of a Springfield success story. They have been amazing partners to work with and we truly value everything they do to assist startup companies. Our community is better because of Great Southern Bank. We are honored by their commitment to entrepreneurship and workforce development.” Rachel Anderson, efactory Director
About Great Southern Bank
Great Southern Bank was started in 1923 with a $5,000 investment. Today the bank has more than $4.9 billion in total assets and serves more than 150,000 households.
Headquartered here in Springfield, Missouri, Great Southern Bank has more than 1,200 dedicated associates and operates 100+ offices in eleven states across the country.
Great Southern is committed to helping make the communities they serve better places to live, work, and do business. The bank takes seriously their privilege and responsibility to provide services and capital to help communities grow.
About the efactory
It’s our mission to make Springfield, Missouri the best place in the country to start and grow a business. We serve entrepreneurs through office space, coworking, training events, business consulting, and more.
We believe in hard work, determination, and good ideas. Since opening our doors, efactory programs have:
Assisted over 970 companies
Created over 1,700 jobs
Helped clients secure more than $78 million in capital and equity
Helped clients secure more than $20 million in research and grant support
Graduated 17 companies from the accelerator program
Maintained a full lease occupancy rate with 45+ clients and 140+ employees since 2017
The efactory is proud to be part of IDEA Commons, Missouri State University’s vision to create an urban innovation park that includes residential, retail, commercial, and entertainment facilities supported by multidisciplinary university programs.
Participants from Cohort 4 of the efactory accelerator program present at Demo Day on August 12, 2019
Investing in entrepreneurship
We know supporting startups takes a team. It's why we're proud to have a well-rounded partner program, a great group of resource organizations, and supportive investors. And we love when we get to welcome new supporters to our program!
Today we’re pleased to share that five local banks are investing in the seed capital fund that makes investments in the efactory's accelerator program. BancorpSouth, Central Bank, Great Southern Bank, U.S. Bank, and Wood & Huston Bank have each made recent investments in the seed capital fund, totaling nearly $100,000.
Seed capital fund
The seed capital fund was established in 2015 to provide early stage companies with access to capital. The fund’s creation served as the launch pad for the efactory’s accelerator program, which invests in cohorts of fast-growth, emerging companies.
Money from the fund is disbursed to companies selected to be part of the efactory accelerator. Participating companies each receive $30,000 in exchange for eight percent equity.
“Early stage funding is critical for startups. Access to seed capital is vital to developing a culture of entrepreneurship that founders and top talent want to be part of. We’re proud of the work that our community is doing and are excited about the investment BancorpSouth, Central Bank, Great Southern Bank, U.S. Bank and Wood & Huston are making in economic development and the future of Springfield.”
Rachel Anderson, efactory Director
What's next
The seed capital fund has invested in a total of 17 companies since 2015. We're proud of our portfolio companies and all the great work they've done (including acquisitions!).
Applications will open for Cohort 5 of the accelerator program on December 1, 2019. Cohort 5 will be in session from May 10 - August 11, 2020.
It began with an Irish woman named Catherine McAuley, who wanted to help poor women and children in Dublin, Ireland. In 1827, she opened the first House of Mercy in Dublin, intending to teach skills to poor women and educate children. A few years later, Catherine founded the Sisters of Mercy, the first religious order not bound to the rules of the cloister. By the time Catherine died in 1841, there were convents in Ireland and England, and in 1843, the Sisters of Mercy came to the United States.
In 1871, they traveled to St. Louis and throughout the Midwest, forming what is now known as Mercy.
Today Mercy serves millions annually. The system was named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2016-2019 by IBM Watson Health.
Mercy includes more than 40 acute care, managed and specialty hospitals, 900 physician practices and outpatient facilities. The system is made up of more than 45,000 coworkers and 2,400 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.
Let’s be partners
Our partner program is designed for organizations that want to support entrepreneurship and innovation in southwest Missouri. Partners receive exciting annual benefits in addition to the warm fuzzies that come with supporting the efactory.
Interested in learning more about what it means to be a partner? Contact us today to learn more. There’s always room at our table.
The Arc of the Ozarks joins efactory partner program
Nothing makes us happier than a new partner. We’re excited to announce The Arc of the Ozarks as the most recent addition to the efactory partner program.
About The Arc of the Ozarks
In 1959, a small group of parents recognized the need for services for children with developmental disabilities. A support network was built for these children and their families, resulting in the 1964 establishment of The Arc.
Today, The Arc of the Ozarks serves individuals with a variety of disabilities. Services include residential, education, dual diagnosis, medically fragile, day habilitation, therapeutic recreation, advocacy, autism services, employment, and psychological counseling.
Their vision? “To be a leader in service delivery for persons with disabilities by providing an array of supports and services to integrate them into their communities and to enhance the quality of their lives.”
Let’s be partners
Our partner program is designed for organizations that want to support entrepreneurship and innovation in southwest Missouri. Partners receive exciting annual benefits in addition to the warm fuzzies that come with supporting the efactory.
Interested in learning more about what it means to be a partner? Contact us today to learn more. There’s always room at our table.
Through the program, founders and small business owners will gain access to some of our community’s most experienced owners and business leaders.
Experienced experts
Today’s business owners are looking for honest advice and practical feedback. Our curated group of business mentors have diverse backgrounds, a wide range of skill sets, and understand what it’s like to be a business owner.
They’ve built brands, launched products, and scaled operations. And now they’re sharing their expertise with us.
Meet the mentors
We’ve gathered a great group of mentors for the program’s pilot run. Additional mentors will debut after the new year.
Meet the nine pros who are helping us kick things off.
Dan Cobb
An experienced entrepreneur who has built, scaled, and successfully exited multiple healthcare technology companies. Learn more about Dan.
That’s right! Now is your chance to join our team as a Regional Small Business Consultant with the Missouri Small Business Development Center at MSU. We’re looking for someone who loves small business, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and enjoys being a team player.
About Us
It’s our mission to make Springfield, Missouri the best place in the country to start a business. We serve entrepreneurs through office space, coworking, trainings, business consulting, and more.
We believe hard work, determination, collaboration, and good ideas are worth fighting for. We truly believe Springfield, Missouri is where dreams can come true. Community is who we are. Forward is where we’re going. We’d love to have you along for the ride.
Regional Small Business Consultant
The Regional Small Business Consultant will be responsible for providing consultation services to small business owners on a wide range of topics.
Consultants work closely with clients on topics related to marketing, finance, management, personnel, and strategic planning.
The Regional Small Business Consultant will also help coordinate training seminars that are designed to meet the specific needs of small business owners and managers.
What You Would Do
Wondering what it looks like? The Regional Small Business Consultant will:
Provide business coaching primarily to existing and second-stage business to help them grow
Establish cooperative one-on-one relationships with business owners and managers, recommending viable options or identifying resources to address their stated and/or assessed needs
Market educational offerings and promote the mission of the Missouri Small Business Development Center
Establish positive working relationships with local and regional economic development organizations, critical community governments, chambers of commerce and business stakeholders
Develop and maintain essential partnerships with local and regional organizations, governments, and key leaders to effectively communicate the Missouri Small Business Development Center’s value to stakeholders
Develop and maintain partnerships with MU Extension County Offices and work closely with MU Extension faculty/staff throughout the region to provide services to regional small business clients
Assist in the achievement of economic impact goals as established by the Small Business Administration, the Missouri Small Business Development Centers’ administrative office, and the Missouri State University SBDC related to job creation and retention, dollar amounts of loans and investments secured, increased sales, the number of businesses acquired or started, and jobs created or retained
Experience
We’re looking for someone with at least three years of experience in positions relating to business consultation, marketing, finance, and management.
Experience with manufacturing, technology, services, or wholesale business would also be great. Owned, operated, or managed a small business? Even better!
Apply Today
View the full job description and apply through Missouri State University’s job portal. Applications will be accepted through October 25, 2019.
That’s right! Now is your chance to join our team as an Accounting Specialist. We’re looking for someone who loves a good spreadsheet, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and enjoys being a team player.
About Us
It’s our mission to make Springfield, Missouri the best place in the country to start a business. We serve entrepreneurs through office space, coworking, trainings, business consulting, and more.
We believe hard work, determination, collaboration, and good ideas are worth fighting for. We truly believe Springfield, Missouri is where dreams can come true. Community is who we are. Forward is where we’re going. We’d love to have you along for the ride.
Accounting Specialist
The primary job duty of the Accounting Specialist is maintenance of financial records and accounts within our department. The specialist may also provide some administrative support services to the department.
Skills
Wondering what it takes?
Knowledge of and aptitude with accounting procedures
Tested and proven clerical aptitude
Working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications
Working knowledge of or the ability to learn and use database applications, the administrative business system or enterprise resource planning system
Ability to maintain moderately complex filing systems and records and make mathematical calculations
Effective verbal and written communication skills
Ability to maintain departmental financial records and accounts and prepare financial reports
Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds
Experience
For this position at least two years of progressively responsible bookkeeping, purchasing, and/or accounting experience is required.
Apply Today
View the full job description and apply through Missouri State University’s job portal. Applications will be accepted through September 20, 2019.
efactory partners with Bench to make bookkeeping easy
The fintech company is offering discounts to efactory client companies
Bench Bookkeeping
We’re excited to add a new platform to our efactory member perks program – Bench Bookkeeping!
Bench is America’s largest bookkeeping service for small businesses. And now it’s more affordable than ever for efactory clients to manage their bookkeeping on the award-winning platform.
Bench benefits
Through the program, efactory client companies are eligible for twenty percent off their first six months of bookkeeping.
Bench’s partner program is designed to make first-class bookkeeping easy and accessible for growing companies. Clients receive unlimited support, real-time insights, and a Year End Financial Package with everything a business owner (or CPA) needs to file their taxes.
Less time spent on bookkeeping means founders have more time to focus on growing their business. And that’s what we’re all about.
Additional perks
The Bench partner program is only one of several benefits available to efactory client companies. Companies are also eligible for savings from Google, Amazon Web Services, HubSpot, and more.
The Economic Development Administration grant award paves the way for expansion at the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center.
Expansion at the efactory
The efactory is excited to share that the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross has announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) will award a $1.25 million grant to the efactory. This award will pave the way for an expansion at the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center, adding additional incubator offices along with new conference and training rooms. The grant will be matched with $1.25 million in local investment and is expected to create 360 jobs and spur $27 million in private investment.
This project was made possible by Missouri State University’s commitment to bringing together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment, and create jobs.
"The efactory at the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship in southwest Missouri. This expansion will allow the center to serve even more entrepreneurs as they start and grow businesses, create jobs, and invest in the community."
Missouri Governor Mike Parson
Our Services
The efactory is an entrepreneurship and business resource center with programs and offerings that assist both large and small businesses. From office space for startups to corporate innovation for major employers, efactory programs facilitate business growth and economic development throughout southwest Missouri.
Services include: office space, coworking, an accelerator program, mentorship programs, business consulting, corporate innovation, and leadership and professional development trainings. The efactory offers small business consulting and training through the Missouri Small Business Development Center at MSU and leadership and professional development trainings through the Management Development Institute.
“This investment will help the efactory continue driving growth and innovation in Southwest Missouri. The center is an invaluable resource for local entrepreneurs, providing them new tools to grow their businesses and create good-paying jobs. I’m proud to see this expansion moving forward and promoting economic development in one of our state’s Opportunity Zones.”
Missouri U.S. Senator Roy Blunt
Here's a look at what's to come
Private Offices
Eight new private offices will be built on the second floor of the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center. Offices will range in size from 450 - 600 square feet.
Training & Event Space
A large training and flexible use space will be constructed on the building's mezzanine level. The space will include flexible seating configurations, projectors, and more.
Conference Space
A new conference room will be constructed on the building's second floor. This new conference room will accompany the five existing conference rooms on the first floor.
Rooftop Terrace
Separate from the EDA award and corresponding expansion, the efactory is exploring options to add a rooftop terrace to the building as part of the larger IDEA Commons expansion project.
The efactory serves entrepreneurs through office space, coworking, trainings, and more.
Our Impact
We opened our doors in March 2013 with one goal in mind – to serve as a one-stop shop for small business owners and entrepreneurs throughout southwest Missouri. To date, our programs have:
Assisted over 900 companies
Created over 1,500 jobs
Helped clients secure more than $65 million in capital and equity
Helped clients secure more than $18 million in research and grant support
Graduated 17 companies from the accelerator program
Maintained a full lease occupancy rate with 45+ clients and 140+ employees since 2017
The efactory is located in downtown Springfield inside the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center. We are proud to be part of the IDEA Commons district, Missouri State University's vision to create an urban innovation park. The efactory is located in a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act designated Opportunity Zone.
Stay Tuned
Be the first to know more about our expansion and other efactory goodness when you join our mailing list.
Maybe you couldn’t make the event. Or maybe you just want to feel the excitement again. We’ve rounded up the highlights from Demo Day at the efactory.
Cohort 4
Our accelerator program is a critical piece of our efforts to support entrepreneurship and innovation in southwest Missouri. The five companies in Cohort 4 were selected from hundreds of applicants to be part of our transformative 13-week program.
They’ve had a busy summer. Presentations, expert sessions, office hours and more have led to this. They’re ready to take things to the next level and we can’t wait to watch it happen.
Their success is Springfield’s success. At the efactory, we believe Springfield is the place where dreams really do come true. We believe in hard work, determination, collaboration, and good ideas. Community is who we are. Forward is where we’re going.
Collaboarator
Collaboarator founder Seth Kitchen
Musicians have it tough. They have to stick out in a crowd, find people to work with, and frequently see their profits squeezed by distributors and middlemen.
Collaboarator is changing all of that. The social media platform makes it easy for music artists to find one another, gain exposure, and get paid.
It’s Live
Founder Seth Kitchen recently graduated from the University of Missouri – Rolla with an engineering degree and has been hard at work developing the app. He was excited to share that it’s ready for download on Andoid, Windows, and iOS. Get to it!
And People Are Into It
Musicians from around the world are already using (and loving) the app.
Compat.io
Compat.io founder Tim Baynes
Ever bought one thing, but couldn’t figure out which things go with it? Most of the things we use each day are actually a combination of products, accessories, and components that come together to create a solution.
Compat.io is a software platform that makes it easy for customers to find products that go together. Whether it’s finding the perfect crank set for your bicycle or a high-end lens for your specialty camera, Compat.io turns compatibility from a research project into a click.
Show Me the Money
A great idea and solid team are only two parts of the equation. To truly build and scale a company, you need capital. Compat.io founder Tim Baynes has been working on that. We’re thrilled to share that during the accelerator program he closed a $900,000 round of investment. That brings Compat.io’s total non-founder investment to $1.25 million.
It’s Ready for Dealers
Compat.io makes it easy for dealers to cross-sell more effectively. And it’s ready for them! They’re starting with a focus on the bicycling industry, and bike dealers can start using the Expert Recommendation System (XRS) Magento plugin today.
Fletch
Fletch founder Marquett Burton
It turns out actually going to class plays a major role in student success. But tracking attendance? It can be a huge burden for instructors, students, and the institution.
Fletch is an effortless technology that takes attendance without instructors or students lifting a finger. The Bluetooth-based approach respects privacy, requires next to nothing from the user, and opens up massive opportunities outside of education.
Revenue is Real
Folks are loving Fletch’s technology. Marquett Burton shared that they’ve passed more than $100,000 in revenue and landed some major clients during the accelerator program. Working with groups like DeVry University, the University of Akron, and the University of Arizona is just the start.
Thank You, Next
It’s not only about attendance. Fletch is ready to tackle everything from making sure students are on the right school bus to helping manufacturing facilities track equipment. The Fletch Dot is their latest innovation, with a quarter-sized beacon that can be attached to just about anything.
ModBox
ModBox founder Justin Cardoza
It’s 2019 and our skies are full of flying robots. And while drones are super cool, owning and operating one comes with a lot of work. Professionals and hobbyists spend tons of time packing and unpacking their kits to keep things charged, organized, and ready to go.
ModBox has built the world’s first smart case for drones. Developed for pilots by pilots, it’s packed with features like internal charging and backup power, SD card readers/organizers, built-in monitor mounts, and more.
They’re Lining Up
Drone owners are eager to get their hands on a case. ModBox is planning to launch later this year, and they’ve already got a waitlist of pilots worth $30,000 in pre-sales.
This is Just the Beginning
Drones are only the beginning. Imagine smart cases for tools used by construction crews. Smart cases for audio equipment used by musicians. If it’s stored in box, ModBox can improve it.
Optikal
Optikal founder SueAnn Hollowell and Norman Stuart III
Life is expensive! And one out of every two millennials is living paycheck to paycheck. This financial hardship means they sacrifice things like eye care, putting their vision at risk.
Optikal is a subscription box that makes eye care affordable. It breaks down the upfront cost of an eye exam, one year’s supply of contacts, contact care supplies, and backup glasses into monthly payments.
Partners are in Place
Optikal has landed a partnership with OnSight, a workplace vision program that brings eye exams directly into the workplace. Working with another company that’s equally determined to disrupt the eye care market sets Optikal up for optimum success.
Customer Loyalty
Optikal already has paying customers, and they’re sticking with the service. The team is proud of their 1.3% churn rate and has plans in place to keep it low.
