The state of Kansas is tapping into the Regents’ university network to launch a new program designed to financially support and encourage entrepreneurs.

The JumpStart Kansas program is being funded with $425,000 from the Kansas Department of Commerce, and the six state schools and Washburn University will use $60,000 each to create new businesses and support entrepreneurs, said secretary Antonio Soave.

“If we’re not continuously identifying entrepreneurs that have great stories, and if we don’t participate in some form or fashion, then I think we will be far behind,” he said at a Monday news conference.