photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World
The Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center, 2920 Haskell Ave., is pictured in June 2025.
A Topeka-based nonprofit is expanding its entrepreneurship program to Lawrence through a partnership with the Douglas County eCommunity, giving more Kansas entrepreneurs access to startup resources.
Omni Circle Group is a nonprofit community hub that supports underserved individuals and strengthens local economies through entrepreneurship, collaboration, and business resources. The organization has a program called “Ignite: New Venture Discovery,” which is for aspiring entrepreneurs ready to explore and validate new business ideas, according to a press release from Omni.
The nonprofit has partnered with the Douglas County eCommunity to bring the program to Lawrence and support local entrepreneurs starting or growing businesses, and county residents are invited to apply to participate in the 8-week course.
Participants will receive guidance on identifying opportunities, assessing market potential and developing a foundation for their business. People can expect to come into the program with an idea, dream or vision, and leave with a strong market concept and business plan.
“In Topeka, Ignite has helped more than 65 people develop their business ideas into viable concepts. We’re excited to reach an even greater number of potential entrepreneurs by bringing this program to the Lawrence/Douglas County area,” Omni CEO Michael Odupitan said in the release. “Omni has always been committed to serving the entrepreneurs who need us most. From the start, we’ve believed geography shouldn’t determine access, and that’s exactly why expanding the reach of our program is the right move. We’re working to help more Kansas entrepreneurs succeed, because we know the power of entrepreneurship is greater than a zip code.”
Douglas County eCommunity leaders said the partnership grew out of ongoing conversations about expanding support for entrepreneurs in the region.
“We had been in discussions with Omni for a while to build our connection and explore ways to collaborate and expand opportunities for entrepreneurs,” small-business owner Nicole Rials, representing the Douglas County eCommunity, said in the release. “When we heard what they were doing with their Ignite program, we knew immediately the impact it could have here in Douglas County. We’re confident Lawrence and surrounding communities will become even more vibrant and prosperous as more entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds are inspired to build meaningful businesses from the solid foundation Omni’s Ignite program provides.”
By the end of the program, participants will have a validated business idea, a complete startup business plan, and practical tools for customer discovery, problem-solving, and early branding.
Ignite is expected to launch in Lawrence on March 23, and sessions will be held at The Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center, 2920 Haskell Ave. There will also be informational sessions held over the coming weeks for the program, starting Feb. 16.
People will meet on Monday’s from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the capacity is 16 seats. Participants that register between now and March 16 will be eligible for early registration, which is $150 per person. After March 16, the program costs $250. There are also scholarships available for the program. People can register at OmniCircle.org/Ignite.