News Stories

Founders urge confidence, not Midwest nice: Stop apologizing for thinking bigger, builders say

Kansas City should be a hotbed for talent and startups, said Usman Wajid, lamenting a trend where entrepreneurs allow themselves to be penned in by a mentality that they’re overlooked locally and need to relocate to raise capital. Sometimes the catalyst for funding is confidence, the Block & Mortar AI founder told a crowd gathered…

Missouri notched big wins for entrepreneurs in 2026, but work remains, advocates report

Missouri is finally seeing renewed and sustained political momentum around entrepreneurship, Jason Wiens told town hall attendees gathered for an update on the Show-Me State’s recent wins around entrepreneur support.

West Bottoms developer signs NYC-based Australian cafe concept as first retail tenant in planned cultural hub

Kansas City’s historic West Bottoms is expected to gain a nationally recognized restaurant brand as  SomeraRoad works to reestablish the riverside neighborhood as a cultural, culinary, and community destination, the developer said.

Just funded: 8 tech products get Digital Sandbox KC boost to strengthen KC’s innovation economy

Project funding and extended resources are expected to help more than a half-dozen emerging startups — including six in the digital health space — whose innovative technology concepts are forging the future of entrepreneurship in Kansas City, said Maria Meyers.

Here’s how Union Station, small biz marketplace are proving a real-world test for activating KC

Team Netherlands defeated Tunisia Thursday night in high-profile World Cup gameplay, but the day’s Kansas City winner was one of the city’s most iconic hubs of living history, said Union Station officials.