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New role at Endeavor Heartland scales Craig Moore’s concierge ecosystem building
In a move that highlights Kansas City’s growing influence within the global landscape, innovation booster Craig Moore has taken on a new role with a Northwest Arkansas-based network for high-impact entrepreneurs — bringing his ecosystem-building superpowers to a broader scale.
As senior manager of entrepreneur experience at Endeavor Heartland, however, Moore isn’t abandoning his roots in Kansas City; he’s simply adding more to his portfolio, he said.
“I’m just putting on another hat, which I really enjoy,” said Moore, also the founding executive director of Black Excellence KC, a board member for Startland, the parent organization of Startland News, and who previously led Venture for America’s Kansas City operation.
And though he will be winding down his previous work with The DeBruce Foundation, the new opportunity with Endeavor will strengthen existing connections forged throughout his career in the region — bridging organizations and leveraging his network to bring Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem deeper onto the global stage, he said.
Endeavor Heartland is an affiliate of the international Endeavor network, which supports high-impact entrepreneurs worldwide.
“I get to be a real ecosystem builder, balancing all these moving parts and still being in the same rooms where I need to be for all of them,” he added.
Opening global doors
Moore’s new role at Endeavor Heartland puts him at the forefront of supporting high-growth entrepreneurs and startups across Kansas and Missouri. His focus is on businesses ready to take the leap from small to significant.
“My goal is to identify and work with high growth opportunities,” said Moore, “those who are going to go from 100 employees to 500 employees very quickly, or raise anywhere between $5 to $15 million in a Series A to Series B type situation.”
He describes his role as a “scale concierge,” where his job is to help entrepreneurs access the resources they need at every stage — locally, regionally, and globally — to support sustainable growth.
Moore will split his time between Kansas City and Endeavor Heartland’s base in Northwest Arkansas. His expanded reach is crucial, as he connects founders to mentors and resources all across the region, he said.
“The ultimate goal is to create what we call a multiplier effect,” Moore explained. “As companies scale and achieve ‘unicorn’ status, they reinvest — whether it’s through talent that they had after an exit, building new businesses, or becoming investors themselves.”
This reinvestment cycle, Moore believes, is the key to building lasting economic prosperity in the city.
Backing bold ideas
Moore sees the arrival of Endeavor Heartland in Kansas City as a sign that the city is stepping into the spotlight, moving beyond its previous reputation as a place solely for early-stage businesses.
While still growing, the city is gaining more recognition, and Endeavor’s trust in Kansas City only strengthens this momentum, he said.
“I think that having somebody in Kansas City who really understands the ecosystem, it will allow me to leverage that global network a little bit better and truly identify the right mentors to be in the space,” said Moore.
One example of Kansas City’s rising entrepreneurial talent is Toby Rush, co-founder of Ideem. Rush’s progress is exactly the kind of success Moore aims to nurture through Endeavor Heartland.
Ideem is an AI-powered platform that helps businesses optimize operations and decision-making, with added security through two-factor authentication (2FA).
“Toby’s killing it,” Moore said. “He’s already making it past our panel reviews and charting a path that others can follow.”
Ultimately, Moore is focused on fostering talent and growth, helping startups break through and continue making an impact on Kansas City’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Craig Moore, Endeavor Heartland, listens as Dr. DeAngela Burns Wallace, president and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, speaks during the March 2025 Pitch Black business summit and pitch competition organized by Kansas City GIFT; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Connecting ecosystems
Even as Moore steps into his new role at Endeavor, he remains committed to his ongoing work with groups across the city, he said, noting his approach has always been collaborative, and he’s eager to continue playing a central role in shaping Kansas City’s economic future.
“As an ecosystem builder focused on workforce development, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship,” said Moore, “I feel that these different perspectives are going to draw the lines between this picture of a great economic ecosystem that Kansas City has.”
By working across different initiatives, Moore plans to connect the dots and create a more interconnected and thriving ecosystem for Kansas City’s entrepreneurs, and he’s excited about the potential impact of his efforts.
“I’m just looking for the city’s support to keep connecting me and helping take Kansas City’s entrepreneurial scene to the next level,” Moore said.
Tommy Felts contributed to the reporting of this article.
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