Tag: kansas city

Birdies moving to expanded Crossroads shop with support from KCMO’s Open Doors!

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 22:47:21 +0000

Birdies — the beloved, inclusive lingerie boutique in the West Crossroads — is expanding its nest, shared co-owners Peregrine Honig and Alexis Burggrabe.

Thanks in part to an Open Doors! Program grant, Birdies is preparing a move down the block to the corner of 18th and Baltimore and expanding its retail space from 600 square feet to 2,000.

Destination discount: Mobile business hunt hides prizes across KC (and you can find them without a new app)

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 20:20:18 +0000

A new venture from Soda Pop Graphics founder Kamia Kindle is turning everyday errands into something more interactive, inviting Kansas Citians to play their way through local neighborhoods while helping small businesses see who is actually walking through the door.

‘Fitting in is boring’: How this young founder gained the glow of entrepreneurship with her family’s meat pies

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 18:57:46 +0000

Naeche’s Nourishment is serving up savory meat pies with a side of its student founder’s Nigerian roots, Chinecherem Ihenacho shared, noting she started the business to make her culture more approachable to people who otherwise might not see the richness of its flavor.

Disney’s deal with OpenAI is dead, but the villain of the story is still lurking, KC theater owner says

admin — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:27:45 +0000

Don’t roll credits just yet, said Adam Roberts. The collapse of a deal that would’ve licensed some of Disney’s most popular characters to an AI generator doesn’t mean the end for the fan-inspired, on-demand custom video content that studio executives envisioned (and many cinephiles like Roberts revile).

News broke Tuesday that OpenAI was shuttering its Sora AI video app, which in December inked a three-year licensing agreement with Disney to access curated character content from brands like Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars and the House of Mouse itself.

Truss the plan: How KC’s newest hotspot could be a model for infrastructure renewal (60 feet above the Kansas River)

admin — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 19:04:34 +0000

When Rock Island Bridge opens April 1, it’ll not only be a destination nightlife experience and river-spanning festival grounds, said Mike Zeller; the completed “bridge as land” concept is expected to serve as a first-of-its-kind redevelopment proof point that builds on uniquely Kansas City resilience and collaboration.

Truss the plan: How KC’s newest hotspot could be a model for infrastructure renewal (60 feet above the Kansas River)

admin — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 19:04:34 +0000

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This brand on the rise smells a lot like cookies fresh out the oven; why Brown Suga tastes better in Leawood

admin — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:25:53 +0000

A fan-favorite Kansas City cookie shop has found its sweet spot in Leawood’s mixed-use Park Place district, said founder Ebony Paul, noting the setting for Brown Suga Bakes’ second storefront clicked right away.

KC-backed (and built) AI startup rebrands amid shift to tackling America’s supply chain pain points

admin — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:44:38 +0000

With its pivot from video transcriptions to bulk inventory tracking, one of Kansas City’s most-promising, emerging tech startups is rebranding to match the new direction, co-founders Warren Wang and Cole Robertson said.

“‘Rebulk‘ feels like the right name for the future we want to build,” said Wang, reflecting on the company’s efforts to use AI-powered computer vision to track bulk materials in real time, giving industrial teams better visibility and control over logistics and operations.

The end of gear hunting: Wacka wants to automate-away manual price chasing

admin — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 16:20:04 +0000

Late nights. Too many browser tabs. Price comparisons across half a dozen retailers. Waiting weeks for the right moment to buy. Justen Wack knows exactly how outdoor gear purchases usually happen, he said — because the tech founder used to grind through the process himself.

No late risers: KC’s hottest line leads to a sell-out doughnut; owners balance appetite with days-long production

admin — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 16:02:30 +0000

At 4:45 a.m. on a rainy Saturday morning, Susan Worrel of Overland Park was first in line at the new Slow Rise doughnut shop by her subdivision.

Kansas City data centers and AI flip the script on job security

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:00:30 +0000

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

C2FO passes half-trillion-dollar mark as businesses pivot to working capital from traditional debt

admin — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 20:12:30 +0000

In a high-cost environment, businesses across the globe are prioritizing “on-demand” liquidity over new debt, said Sandy Kemper, announcing Wednesday that Kansas City-based C2FO has now provided more than a half-trillion dollars in working capital to entrepreneurs worldwide.

Redbud VC drops $25M Fund II in its attempt to ‘out-hustle the market’ for top talent, Midwest unicorns

admin — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:58:41 +0000

A new $25 million fund for Columbia-based Redbud VC is expected to help identify and develop top-tier, pre-seed innovators before they head to the coasts to find more abundant capital, said Brett Calhoun.

Keystone Angels takes wing with emerging leader; next up: saving startups from the valley of death

admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 19:18:56 +0000

A familiar face in Kansas City’s business ecosystem is stepping into a leadership role aimed at tackling one of the biggest challenges facing local startup founders: access to early-stage funding.

Best AI strategy for your business: Make it Midwest practical, says startup duo reunited after DEG exit

admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:25:28 +0000

For many companies racing to adopt artificial intelligence, the biggest challenge isn’t the technology; It’s knowing where to begin, said Neal Sharma, whose new venture alongside Craig Sizemore aims to turn AI hype into real business value.