C2FO to Partner, Collaborate with Kansas State

Leawood-based C2FO is partnering directly with Kansas State University’s college of engineering to both help develop the computer science department and create a potential pipeline of trained employees in the future. 

Created by Sandy Kemper, a member of both the Ingram’s 40 Under Forty and Ingram’s 250, C2FO is a financial technology company that created what they termed the “first market for working capital.” In the competitive world of workforce hiring, this collaboration is a big leg up on the competition.  John Young, chief data officer at C2FO, said the company first took an interest in the computer science department at Kansas State because of the quality of students leaving the program. “We believe in K-State’s Computer Science Scholars Program because of the success we’ve seen firsthand in hiring high-quality student interns and graduates from the university,” Young said.

“We are excited to grow this partnership with C2FO,” said Scott DeLoach, professor and head of the computer science department. “We look forward to how this innovative company will challenge student and departmental capacity to meet the fintech industry exponential demand for machine-learning and data research skills,” DeLoach said, expressing the department’s enthusiasm in being able to offer students the opportunity to further expand their skills and knowledge in the field through the partnership.

The newly formed partnership with KSU is only one of several investments in education C2FO has made in the state of Kansas and throughout the Kansas City metro area.  One of them is the Young Entrepreneurs Program, Kansas City (YEP KC).  It was founded to provide high school students with practical experience for learning and enhancing entrepreneurial skills.