GO Topeka

What GO Topeka does

GO Topeka is the primary economic development agency for Topeka and Shawnee County, Kansas, operating as a department of the Greater Topeka Partnership, a public-private partnership established as a non-profit. Founded circa 2014 and headquartered at 719 S Kansas Ave, Suite 100, Topeka, the organization administers traditional business incentives (capital investment, land acquisition, job creation over a five-year performance schedule, and training incentives), the Economic Mobility Funds program for underserved entrepreneurs, Small Business Incentives grants, and a Talent Attraction Incentive of up to $15,000 per relocating professional. Its revenue base is derived primarily from the half-cent countywide retailers' sales tax administered through the Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO), supplemented by partnerships with the City of Topeka, Shawnee County, and the Kansas Department of Commerce.

The organization's programmatic portfolio centers on three pillars: (1) Business Concierge and direct enterprise-facing site-selection support for primary employers; (2) an innovation ecosystem anchored by Link Innovation Labs (a 17,000+ SF downtown facility featuring BSL-1/BSL-2 wet labs, co-working, conference and pitch space, opened February 2026) and the Plug and Play Topeka Animal Health Accelerator, which has advanced 65 startups and produced 17 pilot projects since 2020 against founding corporate partners Cargill, Hill's Pet Nutrition, and Evergy (with Bimini Pet Health added as fourth partner); and (3) workforce development through Made For Manufacturing, TopCity FAME (nine employer partners including Hill's Pet Nutrition, Reser's Fine Foods, Amcor, Panasonic), and the Forge young-professionals network. The go-to-market motion blends enterprise field sales for primary-employer attraction/retention, sales-led incentive deployment, and community-led innovation programming.

GO Topeka serves three principal customer segments: primary employers evaluating location or expansion in Topeka/Shawnee County (demonstrated wins include J.M. Smucker, $20.5M Topeka expansion; Security Benefit; Reser's Fine Foods; Mars Wrigley's Halloween Headquarters); small businesses and entrepreneurs (via Business Concierge and grant incentives); and relocating talent / workforce-development participants. Pricing is outcome-based (performance-tied cash incentives paid over multi-year horizons) for primary employers and grant-based for small businesses; the organization does not charge fees for its services. Operations are single-jurisdiction (Topeka and Shawnee County, USA), with 11-50 employees, and the entity is not venture-backed and does not have external investors.

Name

GO Topeka

Legal name

GO Topeka

Website

https://gotopeka.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GO Topeka is the primary economic development agency for Topeka and Shawnee County, Kansas, administering business incentives, workforce programs, and an innovation ecosystem (including Link Innovation Labs and the Plug and Play Animal Health Accelerator) funded by a half-cent county sales tax through JEDO.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Employment Services (5613)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Workforce Development Programs (WIOA/One-Stop Career Centers) (EDAAAOAA)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Business incentive programs
• Workforce development
• Innovation hub operations
• Animal health corridor

Headquarters

HQ city

Topeka

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Funding and Incentives Administration: GO Topeka operates as a non-profit economic development organization funded through the half-cent sales tax in Shawnee County, JEDO (Joint Economic Development Organization) funding, and partnerships with City of Topeka, Shawnee County, and Kansas Department of Commerce. Revenue is used to fund economic development programs, incentives, and operations.
2. Incentive-Based Economic Development: GO Topeka facilitates performance-based local incentives including capital investment cash incentives, land acquisition support, job creation incentives (paid over 5-year period), and training incentives for qualifying primary employers. The organization also provides Small Business Incentives grants and manages the Economic Mobility Funds Program for underserved entrepreneurs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

GO Topeka is a non-profit economic development organization that attracts, retains, and expands primary employers in Topeka and Shawnee County through performance-based incentive programs (capital investment, job creation, training, talent attraction), business support services, and innovation ecosystem development. Core offerings include a physical innovation hub (Link Innovation Labs), a startup accelerator partnership (Plug and Play Animal Health), in-person business assistance (Business Concierge Office), small business grants, workforce development programs, and site selection support.

Product overview

GO Topeka operates as an economic development organization under the Greater Topeka Partnership, offering a portfolio of programs and services rather than a traditional product line. Key offerings include Link Innovation Labs (a 17,000+ square foot bioscience innovation hub), the Plug and Play Animal Health Accelerator (partnering with Silicon Valley tech), Business Concierge Office (providing business startup and growth support), workforce development programs (including Made For Manufacturing and Forge Young Talent), and various economic incentive programs at local, city, county, and state levels. The organization also supports talent attraction through TopCity FAME (manufacturing education partnership) and provides comprehensive workforce support services through its directory of partner organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Link Innovation Labs A 17,000+ square foot innovation hub in downtown Topeka's Innovation District providing flexible lab and office space rentals, including Biosafety Level 1 and Level 2 wet and dry laboratories, co-working areas, conference rooms, pitch space with theater, and office spaces. Designed to support early-stage animal health, agtech, and bioscience startups as well as researchers and growing businesses. Sparrow Coffee Co. operates a public café on the first floor.
• Plug and Play Topeka Animal Health Accelerator Startup accelerator program operated in partnership with Silicon Valley-based Plug and Play Tech Center, focused on animal health and agtech innovation in Topeka. Connects cohort startups with corporate partners including Cargill, Evergy, Hill's Pet Nutrition, and Bimini Pet Health for mentorship, pilot projects, and proof-of-concept engagements. Since 2020 the program has advanced 65 startups, led to 17 pilot projects/proofs of concept, and produced two successful startup-corporate partnerships.
• Business Concierge Office A partnership between GO Topeka, Kansas State University, Washburn SBDC, Omni Circle, and Network Kansas, operated as an in-person office at 715 S Kansas Ave in Topeka. Provides innovation guidance, business navigation, and expert assistance for both new and seasoned business owners starting or growing a business. Winner of the Business Facilities EDO Award in the Mid-Sized EDO category for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025).
• Economic Incentive Programs Performance-based local, city, county, and state incentives for qualifying businesses locating or expanding in Topeka and Shawnee County. Includes Traditional Business Incentives (capital investment cash incentives, land acquisition support, job creation incentives paid over 5 years, training incentives), Economic Mobility Funds Program for underserved entrepreneurs, Small Business Incentives (grants for marketing, construction/renovation, equipment, professional services, global markets matching, and proof of concept matching), and the Talent Attraction Incentive of up to $15,000 for relocating professionals.
• Workforce Support Directory Online resource hub connecting job seekers with workforce development services for individuals facing barriers to employment, including those with criminal records, disabilities, substance abuse issues, and long-term unemployment. Includes KANSASWorks and Topeka Youth Project referrals.
• Made For Manufacturing Annual workforce event connecting junior and senior high school students and college students with the manufacturing industry through interactive booths, career exploration, and networking opportunities with local manufacturers. Engages 200-400+ students per event.
• Forge Young Talent Topeka and Shawnee County young professional's network offering leadership development, networking, and civic engagement opportunities for professionals ages 18 to 40, designed to support talent attraction and retention.
• Kansas Department of Commerce Incentives Coordination of state-level incentive programs through the Kansas Department of Commerce, including PEAK (Payroll Withholding Tax retention), KIT (Kansas Industrial Training), KIR (Kansas Industrial Retraining), and various tax credit and financing programs accessed by businesses expanding in Topeka and Shawnee County.
• TopCity FAME Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) chapter providing an employer-led manufacturing career pathway in Topeka and Shawnee County. Participants earn college credits while working part-time with local manufacturers and attending classes at Washburn University and Washburn Tech. Nine employer partners participated at launch: Bimini Pet Health, Amcor, Reser's Fine Foods, Moore Digital Print and Mail Center, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Mainline Printing, Futamura, HME Inc., and Panasonic.
• Animal Health Corridor Services Industry development services targeting the animal health and agtech sectors, positioning Topeka within the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor. Connects prospective companies to Hill's Pet Nutrition, the Plug and Play Animal Health Accelerator, Link Innovation Labs, and other regional animal health assets that together represent 56% of total worldwide animal health, diagnostic, and pet food sales (USD $50 billion annually).

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 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 supporting, core, founding and flagship.

• Washburn University (Pitch Room Sponsor)supportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 February 2026Official Pitch Room Sponsor at Link Innovation Labs. Sponsoring the pitch and event space used for pitch competitions, presentations, workshops, and community gatherings. Actively engaging students through internships at Link Innovation Labs.
• Sparrow Coffee Co.supportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 December 2025Selected as official coffee shop operator for Link Innovation Labs. Provides public cafe on first floor to support community and collaboration among startups. Part of broader mission to foster innovation ecosystem.
• KBS ConstructorssupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 December 2025General contractor for Link Innovation Labs project. Stepped in as sponsor to make coffee shop component viable, completing retrofit of former AT&T telecom facility.
• Bimini Pet HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2023Fourth corporate partner of Plug and Play Topeka Animal Health accelerator (joining Cargill, Evergy, and Hill's Pet Nutrition). Topeka-based contract manufacturer of pet health supplements. Growing animal health company committed to innovation leadership.
• EvergyfoundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2023Founding corporate partner of Plug and Play Topeka Animal Health accelerator. Kansas-based electric utility providing economic development support and innovation sponsorship.
• Plug and Play Tech CenterflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform connecting startups, corporations, VCs, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley with 35+ locations globally. Topeka Animal Health Accelerator launched in 2020 as a key component of GO Topeka's Innovation Corridor strategy. Has advanced 65 startups, with 17 pilot projects and 2 successful partnerships.
• CargillfoundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Founding corporate partner of Plug and Play Topeka Animal Health accelerator. Supports animal health and ag tech startup ecosystem in Topeka.
• Hill's Pet NutritionfoundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Founding corporate partner of Plug and Play Topeka Animal Health accelerator. Global leader in biology-based pet nutrition. Facilitated partnership with Bond Pet Food for alternative protein development.
• Kansas State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Business Concierge Office alongside Washburn SBDC, Omni Circle, and Network Kansas. K-State's Technology Development Institute assists entrepreneurs with product development and commercialization (e.g., Trumpet Fidget by Pocket Keys LLC).
• Washburn UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Business Concierge Office. Washburn SBDC provides business consulting for entrepreneurs. Washburn Tech provides workforce training. Washburn University serves as Pitch Room Sponsor at Link Innovation Labs. College partners for TopCity FAME program.
• City of TopekaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks closely with City of Topeka on community economic development. City provides permitting cost assistance, Tax Increment Financing Districts, Community Improvement Districts, and Neighborhood Revitalization Program.
• Shawnee CountyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks closely with Shawnee County on economic development. Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) funded through half-cent countywide retailers sales tax. Economic Development Exemption Program available.
• Kansas Department of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides wide array of services and resources for business location, expansion, hiring, investment, and growth. Programs include PEAK (payroll withholding tax retention), KIT (Kansas Industrial Training), and KIR (Kansas Industrial Retraining).
• TopCity FAME Employer PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNine local employers participating in TopCity FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education) at launch: Bimini Pet Health, Amcor, Reser's Fine Foods, Moore Digital Print and Mail Center, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Mainline Printing, Futamura, HME Inc., and Panasonic. Additional employers expected to join.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Greater Wichita Partnership: The peer EDO for the Wichita, Kansas metro, operating with a similar public-private structure under a chamber-led partnership. Both organizations administer local incentives, workforce programs, and target manufacturing/aircraft sector employers within the same state.
• Lawrence Chamber of Commerce / Economic Development: Another Kansas-based EDO competing for the same regional primary employer pool. While smaller in scope, it pursues overlapping target industries and accesses the same Kansas Department of Commerce incentive programs.

Regional players

• Greater Oklahoma City Chamber: Oklahoma City's EDO, similar in scale and target sectors. Frequently appears alongside GO Topeka in regional economic development rankings and competes for the same primary employers considering central US locations.
• Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC): The regional EDO for the Kansas City metro, overlapping with GO Topeka within the Animal Health Corridor. KCADC targets many of the same primary employers and animal health companies, making it the closest geographic competitor for site selection wins.
• Tulsa's Economic Development (Tulsa's Future / Tulsa Chamber): Regional EDO for Tulsa, Oklahoma. Comparable in scope and structure, competing with GO Topeka for aerospace, manufacturing, and energy sector employers in the central US.
• Des Moines Partnership (Greater Des Moines Partnership): Midwest EDO serving the Des Moines metro. Competes with GO Topeka for insurance, manufacturing, and agtech employers and operates a comparable public-private partnership model with workforce and innovation programs.
• Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development: Lincoln, Nebraska's EDO with overlapping target sectors (manufacturing, animal health) and similar mid-sized metro structure. Often listed alongside GO Topeka in Business Facilities and Site Selection EDO rankings.
• Omaha Economic Development Corporation: Peer mid-sized EDO in Omaha, Nebraska. Competes with GO Topeka for animal health, food manufacturing, and logistics employers considering the central US, with similar incentive tools and workforce development programs.
• Greater Springfield (Missouri) Partnership: Mid-sized Midwest EDO with overlapping target industries and similar public-private partnership structure. Listed alongside GO Topeka in Business Facilities EDO rankings for mid-sized metros.
• Plano Economic Development / Choose Plano: Mid-sized EDO comparable in scope to GO Topeka. While operating in a different region, it offers similar business attraction, retention, and incentive programs targeting corporate headquarters and primary employers in a similarly sized metro.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/GTPartnership
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/greater-topeka-chamber-of-commerce-go-topeka-economic-partnership
• Instagraminstagram.com/gtpartnership/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about GO Topeka