Efactory

What Efactory does

Efactory is Missouri State University's Center for Business and Economic Development, operating as a university-affiliated business incubator and entrepreneurial support center founded in March 2013 in Springfield, Missouri. The organization serves entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses, and larger employers across 15 counties in southwest Missouri through a portfolio of programs including one-on-one business consulting delivered via the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC), fee-based professional training, workspace rentals, and a mentorship network. As a program within a public state university, Efactory does not have independent ownership or external investors, and its mission is anchored in regional economic development rather than equity returns.

Efactory's core service offerings include Business Support Services (confidential consulting, mentorship, training), Talent Development (certificate programs, custom corporate training, leadership development using the LEGO Serious Play methodology), Workspace Solutions (private offices of 150–1,300 square feet, coworking memberships, meeting rooms with A/V equipment), and specialized programs such as the MSU Public Safety Training Center for law enforcement continuing education in the Lake of the Ozarks region. The organization does not develop or sell proprietary software; its technology stack consists of standard office and coworking infrastructure with A/V capabilities for hybrid events, plus third-party software-enabled member benefits (AWS credits, Google Cloud credits, HubSpot discounts, Brex benefits). Integration with the broader SBDC network of nearly 1,000 locations nationwide provides referral infrastructure and brand association.

Efactory's revenue model is a hybrid of recurring workspace memberships, fee-based training programs, and significant public-sector funding streams. As a public university entity it does not publish revenue figures. Operating revenue is supplemented by an SBA cooperative agreement, Missouri Department of Public Safety grants (for ALERRT/active shooter training), Missouri Department of Economic Development funding, and Missouri Technology Corporation support for semiconductor and innovation initiatives. The organization operates from five locations including the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center (a former Hudson Foods poultry plant converted into the main incubator), Brick City 3, Launchpad in the Plaster Student Union, the Public Safety Training Center in Camdenton, and the Missouri SBDC regional office in West Plains. Reported program outcomes through the SBDC include 90+ businesses launched, 1,100+ jobs created, $130 million in capital secured, and $165 million in client sales growth.

Name

Efactory

Legal name

efactory

Website

https://efactory.missouristate.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Efactory is Missouri State University's Center for Business and Economic Development, providing business consulting, training, coworking, and mentorship to entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses across 15 counties in southwest Missouri, funded primarily through public-sector grants and university support.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Incubation and Entrepreneurial Support Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Internship-to-Apprenticeship & Early Talent Pipeline Programs (EDAMAKAL)

Keywords

• Business incubation services
• Small business consulting
• Coworking spaces
• Professional development training
• Entrepreneurial support

Headquarters

HQ city

Springfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Workspace Memberships: Revenue from private office rentals (150 to 1,300 sq ft) and coworking memberships including access to conference rooms, coffee, mail/package delivery
2. Training Programs: Fee-based professional development and business training programs offered to individuals and organizations
3. Public Funding and Grants: Funded through public grants, Missouri Department of Public Safety, SBA cooperative agreements, and community donations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Efactory is a business incubator and entrepreneurial support center operated as Missouri State University's Center for Business and Economic Development. It provides one-on-one business consulting, mentorship, professional development training, workspace rentals (private offices and coworking memberships), and specialized programs such as the Missouri SBDC, Entrepreneurship Intern Pilot, and Public Safety Training Center for law enforcement.

Product overview

Efactory is Missouri State University's Center for Business and Economic Development, functioning as a business incubator and entrepreneurial support organization rather than a software product company. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected services including Business Support (consulting, SBDC programs, mentorship), Talent Development (professional training, certificate programs, custom solutions), Workspace Solutions (private offices, coworking, meeting spaces), and specialized programs (Public Safety Training Center, Student Talent Programs). The ecosystem also includes regional offices in West Plains and facilities like Brick City and Launchpad. Key programs include the Missouri SBDC providing no-cost business consulting, the Entrepreneurship Intern Pilot Program connecting startups with student talent, and the Show-Me Network partnership extending services statewide. Efactory does not offer a traditional software product or SaaS platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Missouri SBDC at Missouri State University: Small Business Development Center providing no-cost business consulting, training programs, and specialized support services to small business owners in southwest Missouri.

Products and services

• Business Support Services Confidential one-on-one business consulting, mentorship, training programs, and connection to resource partners to help entrepreneurs start and grow businesses in southwest Missouri.
• Talent Development Expert-led professional development and leadership training programs, certificate programs, and custom training solutions for individuals and organizations.
• Workspace Solutions Flexible private office spaces (150 to 1,300 square feet), coworking memberships, and rentable meeting/conference spaces with A/V equipment for hybrid or virtual events.
• Missouri SBDC at Missouri State University Small Business Development Center providing no-cost business consulting, training programs, and specialized support services.
• Mentorship Program Network connecting entrepreneurs to experienced business professionals providing advice and feedback across HR, business law, financial management, and project management.
• Student Talent Programs Programs connecting Missouri State University students with employers for part-time work, internships, and experiential learning opportunities.
• Entrepreneurship Intern Pilot Program Program enabling startups to hire Missouri State student interns at no cost, providing immersive learning experiences within startup environments.
• Public Safety Training Center Continuing education and training for peace officers including ALERRT active shooter training, law enforcement leadership, and POST certification courses, located in Camdenton, Missouri.
• Business Foundations Training On-demand and instructor-led training covering business planning, financial management, QuickBooks, human resources, marketing, legal issues, government contracting, and international business.
• LEGO Serious Play Workshops Facilitated workshops using LEGO building blocks for leadership development, team building, and strategic planning exercises.
• Virtual Early-Stage Business Boot Camp Eight-session virtual program providing business fundamentals, expert coaching, and a growth plan for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs, developed by Missouri SBDC.
• Show-Me Network Statewide network partnership with codefi delivering transformational programming including the Virtual Early-Stage Business Boot Camp and other entrepreneurship resources across Missouri.
• Member Perks Program Exclusive discounts and benefits for efactory members including AWS credits, Google Cloud credits, HubSpot discounts, Brex benefits, and meeting space discounts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple businesses launched and jobs created through client companies

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CoxHealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting entrepreneurship and valuing vitality of small businesses
• Arvest BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting the Supercharge Southwest Missouri initiative and small business ecosystem
• Great Southern BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner and naming-level donor providing free small business checking and other perks for members
• Missouri State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent university providing funding, academic partnerships, and institutional support for efactory as MSU's Center for Business and Economic Development
• U.S. Small Business AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funder through Cooperative Agreement for SBDC program serving southwest Missouri
• Missouri Department of Economic DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner and resource organization supporting Missouri's businesses and economic development initiatives
• Missouri Technology Corp (MTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner for technology and innovation initiatives including semiconductor industry programs
• Springfield Area Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting economic development and business growth in Springfield area
• Missouri EnterpriseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerResource partner helping Missouri manufacturers increase sales, create jobs, and reduce costs
• Springfield Tech CouncilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting technology, connecting people and improving the community
• ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Texas State University ALERRT Program to deliver active shooter training to law enforcement agencies across Missouri, funded through Missouri Department of Public Safety Office of Homeland Security grant
• APEXminorGTM or Marketing PartnerResource partner assisting small, disadvantaged and women-owned firms in obtaining government contracts
• Multicultural Business AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerResource partner advancing minority business opportunities in southwest Missouri
• Show-Me NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide network of training partners, regional connectors, and community connectors bringing transformational programming across Missouri

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Venture For America: Nonprofit fellowship placing early-career talent into startups in emerging U.S. cities. Comparable to efactory's Entrepreneurship Intern Pilot Program that connects Missouri State students with startups.
• MassChallenge: Global nonprofit startup accelerator offering mentorship, programming, and connection to corporate partners with a similar community-led, no-equity model — directly comparable to efactory's entrepreneur support mission.
• Missouri SBDC Network (statewide): Statewide SBDC umbrella organization of which efactory's Missouri SBDC at Missouri State is a regional affiliate. Operates the same no-cost consulting and training model under the same SBA cooperative agreement framework.
• ALERRT Center at Texas State University: Texas State University's Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training center — the source program from which efactory delivers ALERRT active shooter training under partnership. Directly comparable public safety training operation.
• Capital Factory: Austin-based tech accelerator and coworking hub combining mentorship, programming, and workspace for startups. Closely comparable operating model and member profile.
• 1871: Chicago-based nonprofit tech hub and business incubator providing workspace, mentorship, and programming to startups. Directly comparable as a university-affiliated digital incubator serving a regional ecosystem.
• codefi: Cape Girardeau-based entrepreneurship and tech talent nonprofit that is efactory's strategic partner operating the Show-Me Network statewide. Directly comparable as a Missouri-based entrepreneurship support organization.
• SCORE: National nonprofit providing free mentoring, workshops, and business resources to small businesses and entrepreneurs — the closest nationwide analog to efactory's SBDC and mentorship programs.

Regional players

• LaunchCode: St. Louis-based nonprofit providing free tech training, apprenticeship placement, and job connection — comparable training-and-talent-pipeline mission, though focused on tech rather than general business.

Others

• Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce: Local economic development and business advocacy organization that is a core efactory partner. Adjacent rather than competitive — both serve southwest Missouri employers but Chamber focuses on policy/networking while efactory delivers direct business services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/The_eFactory
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheeFactory
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/missouri-state-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/efactorySGF
• TikToktiktok.com/@efactory_sgf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments4 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Efactory