Rosie was launched in 2016 by Rachel Anderson and Paige Oxendine with assistance from United WE to support, assist and serve as an advocate network for women who are current and prospective founders, business owners and leaders in the Springfield region. Its mission is to help connect, partner, collaborate, and continue to increase the support and access to resources for women as it relates to professional development, business assistance, and leadership. It will now transition to become a Leadership Springfield Program.

Are you an aspiring or current small business owner? Apply for the Early-Stage Business Boot Camp to learn more about important topics impacting your business’s success. During this program attendees will discover best practices, talk through real-life examples, and learn about valuable local resources designed to help small businesses grow. Participants of the program will receive ongoing coaching and mentoring to develop a growth plan and financial budget by the end of the program.

Insperity has entered the southwest Missouri market and has joined the efactory Partner Program to assist entrepreneurs and business owners throughout the region.

The Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation has awarded $30,000 to support the recently announced early-stage business training program for diverse and women-owned businesses. This new grant award will support a $3,000 stipend to 10 participants to use towards transportation, childcare and business expenses.

The grant investment will support Innovate SOMO and increase the tech startup pipeline through education boot camps, incubators, accelerators, increased access to capital, mentoring, and cross-pollinating programs to generate more regional economic impact.

The U.S. Bank Foundation has awarded $30,000 to the Missouri State University Foundation for the efactory and Missouri Small Business Development Center at Missouri State University to develop an early-stage business training program for diverse and women-owned businesses.

In addition to the live mural painting, the festival included vendors, aerial artists, interactive installations, and two stages that featured more than fifteen bands and DJs over the course of two days.

The second round of ASCEND grant recipients have been announced. BIPOC business owners will receive funding and support services.

Savvi Legal is offering exclusive savings to efactory members. Member perks help startups save thousands.

AltCap is expanding into southern Missouri through a new partnership with Innovate SOMO.

The new fund will catalyze grant, loan, and equity programs for businesses across 47 counties.