MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
After just one month on the job, Graham Klemme, the new Executive Director of StartUp Hutch, is already laying out ambitious plans to expand the local entrepreneurial ecosystem in Reno County and beyond.
In a recent interview on BW Radio, Klemme shared his excitement about moving to Hutchinson and how the community’s warm welcome has set the tone for what he hopes will be a new era of collaboration and growth.
“Everyone’s been incredibly welcoming and supportive,” Klemme said. “This is the kind of work I love to do, and to have a community where everyone’s aligned, working together to make things happen — it’s a real blessing.”
Originally from Iowa City, Iowa, Klemme’s path to Hutchinson has taken him coast to coast. With a background that spans grassroots political organizing, tech policy at companies like Airbnb and Fiverr, and a stint running a national accelerator program, he brings a diverse set of skills and connections to the role.
At StartUp Hutch, Klemme oversees the organization’s day-to-day operations and works closely with the board of directors and one full-time staff member. Together, they help local businesses and entrepreneurs access resources — including gap financing loans up to $50,000 through partnerships with Network Kansas — and programs designed to help new ventures launch and grow.
But Klemme is eager to do more than maintain the status quo. His vision includes building stronger ties with Hutchinson Community College to engage students and faculty, and exploring ways to reach new groups who may not see themselves as entrepreneurs yet — such as artists and creatives.
“We’d like to partner with the art center to help artists learn business skills,” Klemme explained. “There are so many people who are inherently entrepreneurial and just need a little support to turn ideas into sustainable businesses.”
One major focus is reviving and expanding the youth entrepreneurship program. Klemme wants to see 20 to 50 teams participate in the annual Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, hosted in partnership with local schools and the state program.
“If we want to think about where Reno County is 50 years from now, we need to make sure this next generation is prepared to start and scale businesses that will have an economic impact,” he said.
Klemme is also taking StartUp Hutch’s mission on the road — literally. He plans to visit surrounding communities like Pretty Prairie, Buhler, and Nickerson, setting up “pop-up entrepreneurship labs” at local events to connect with residents and offer resources.
Collaboration with the broader region is key too. Klemme will speak at Wichita’s 1 Million Cups event later this month to help put Hutchinson on the map and strengthen partnerships with organizations like the South Central Kansas Economic Development District and Nexus.
Looking ahead, Klemme wants to bring new resources to StartUp Hutch, including micro-grants to help entrepreneurs test ideas and grow their businesses. He’s also working to diversify the organization’s funding base and deepen its role in the Reno County Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Partnership, a coalition focused on aligning local economic development efforts.
His message to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: come see what StartUp Hutch can do for you.
“We like to be involved as early as possible,” Klemme said. “Whether you’re a small business with two employees or a startup with dreams of scaling big, we’re here to help — from the first idea all the way through to an exit strategy.”
For more information, visit StartUp Hutch’s website or drop by their office in the Bob and Lou Peel Allied Health Center at 1 East 9th Street.