Tag: kansas city

Just funded: LaunchKC unveils 7 newest grant winners, topping $385K in startup capital

admin — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 22:09:20 +0000

LaunchKC’s big reveal Tuesday was about more than checking a box — or getting hands on oversized checks — with grant competition winners taking the stage to introduce their companies to an eager community of supporters, entrepreneurs and investors.

This founder’s own pain point became too painful; Why he’s back to embracing the loss that sparked his startup

admin — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 17:51:46 +0000

When healthtech founder Chris Jones pivoted away from the painful memory of losing his son — a catalyst for launching his medical records startup — he shelved a vital piece of the “why” behind both his company and his passion, Jones said.

Fashion Arts Fund names new leader as shift toward new vision comes into focus

admin — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 16:04:00 +0000

A Kansas City nonprofit dedicated to making impact on the city’s fashion scene announced its new executive director Wednesday — stitching a dyed-in-the-wool KC fashion designer into the organization’s new look.

Elon Kebede — founder, designer, and creative director for Kansas City, Kansas-based ELU by Elon — is expected to lead the Fashion Arts Fund, which began re-envisioning its programs and underwent a name change in early 2023.

Pitch event matches queer singles with dates, but there’s a catch: It’s a bestie behind the mic

admin — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 20:07:00 +0000

Singles within Kansas City’s queer community are about to experience a fresh take on matchmaking, said Tiffany Watts, detailing plans for a pitch event this week where lonely hearts could find connections with help from people who already see them best: their friends.

The interactive Where to Find Us event is set for Thursday, Nov. 21, at Parlor in the Crossroads.

KC-built Raven Space Systems awarded $1.8M contract via Air Force’s innovation arm

admin — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 18:05:25 +0000

A LaunchKC alum’s latest stratospheric news: a hefty U.S. defense contract to produce 3D-printed reentry aeroshells for hypersonic flight testing — a breakthrough technology that’s expected to address some of the of most pressing challenges faced by today’s Air Force.

SafetyCulture names new CEO as founder moves into new strategic executive role

admin — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 23:23:03 +0000

A global tech company with its U.S. headquarters in Kansas City is transitioning to American leadership. Kelly Vohs, a New York-based executive and former Green Beret in the U.S. Special Forces, is set to become CEO of the Australian company SafetyCulture Jan. 1

Founder Luke Anear, who long served as the rapidly scaling business’ CEO and is responsible for establishing its local presence in the Crossroads Arts District, will move into a newly created executive chairman position for SafetyCulture.

GEWKC adds full day of Spanish programming to serve growing community of entrepreneurs

admin — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 21:30:25 +0000

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Missouri Business Alert, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and The Kansas City Beacon.

It’s a (young) woman’s world: KC-run youth incubator readies GEWKC showcase of student starters, choose your favorite

admin — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 19:49:40 +0000

Editor’s Note: Startland is the parent organization of Startland News. This piece was produced independently by editorial staff unaffiliated with student-run programming such as this.

When members of the 12th cohort of Startland’s Social Change Internship (SCI) take the spotlight Thursday evening, they’ll have plenty in common — while acknowledging that differences within their group give them strength.

Young mom’s apparel for crawling babies wins best fit for UMKC Side Hustle Challenge

admin — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 22:33:24 +0000

Riley Rhoads knows firsthand how overwhelming it is to shop for baby clothes, the University of Missouri-Kansas City student and new mother shared, so she created a product to help fellow moms.

KC-crowned ‘King and Queen of BBQ’ return to the throne with new Prospect restaurant

admin — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 20:55:22 +0000

Gary Paul and Patricia Moore have long been dubbed the “King and Queen of BBQ” by their loyal followers, they said.

After several relocations for their P Moore & Moore BBQ brand over the past few years, the duo has landed a new kingdom at 5932 Prospect Ave. And they’ve now fully embraced their nicknames by calling the restaurant The King & Queen of Barbecue.

It opened in late October, but only for breakfast and a few other items while they were waiting on a fence to be built around their smoker — per city regulations.

Investor market turns Midwest conservative: ‘Everyone here is feeling a changing landscape’

admin — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 01:23:50 +0000

After years of soaring valuations across the startup scene, venture firms like M25 are observing a shift to more risk-averse investors and stricter examinations of even the most-exciting company’s worth, said Abhinaya Konduru.

Power & Light: $10M in Live! Block upgrades planned before downtown’s Big 12 ‘opening day’

admin — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 21:21:15 +0000

The Kansas City Live! Block in the Power & Light District — a place KCMO Councilman Crispen Rea calls the living room of Kansas City — is set for a $10 million upgrade, local business and civic leaders announced Thursday. Key updates also target the popular District nightclub Mosaic.

Google makes new $120K pledge to KC schools; region embraces a future built on flexibility

admin — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 20:59:14 +0000

In an era of artificial intelligence and high-tech solutions, the children of Kansas City remain a vital piece of the region’s future economic sustainability, said Utaukwa Allen, announcing a new financial pledge from Google that targets local students.

Kansas City Public Schools have been selected for a $120,000 partnership with Google to strengthen KCPS’ STEM curriculum, equipping students with the skills needed for impactful careers and a future driven by digital innovation, said Allen, global head of economic and community development for Google data centers.

LaunchKC invested in this founder’s vision; now she’s helping the grants competition boost KC’s startup scene

admin — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 18:38:39 +0000

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It’s OK to open with joy: How two moms’ dreams just launched twin shops on Brookside-Waldo border

admin — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 21:57:30 +0000

Two women, longtime friends, have similar entrepreneur origin stories. Now they have side-by-side shops in a bustling neighborhood shopping district.

The twin storefronts — Bramble & Stem led by Katherine (Brambl) Taylor; and Blue Sky Art + Home from hometown artist Leslie Beck — come as the mothers-turned-business owners pivot from freelancing to full-time entrepreneurship.
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