News Stories

Office with a pew: Coworking veterans hail ‘untapped potential’ of unused space within churches

A coworking space and a church — united around the idea of building community — formed a unique partnership earlier this year in Kansas City’s northland, said Bob Martin. The CO-OP at Shoal Creek — which Martin and Heather Heckroot opened in January — has taken up residence at Shoal Creek Community Church in Pleasant…

Digital Inclusion Fund awards $75K for devices to KC nonprofits working to get residents online 

A relaunched Kansas City-area fund is expected to help residents struggling because of a lack of simple tech resources: devices that might often be taken for granted among their neighbors for whom the internet — and the opportunities that come with it — is already easily accessible. Eleven nonprofits in the region recently were awarded a…

Biden-Harris official tours KC BioHub; region prepares to reapply for federal Tech Hubs funding

A visit from a top federal economic development leader early this month offered regional leaders an opportunity to showcase and build upon Kansas City’s strategy to increase domestic production of life-saving vaccines within the footprint of the newly established KC BioHub. Maryam Janani-Flores, chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration…

Family-owned US Toy sells to Chicago-based novelty retailer; new owner pledges continued innovation

The strategic acquisition of a 70-year-old Grandview company that has become a household name for its novelty toys is expected to fuel its new owner’s ability to meet the evolving needs of modern-day customers. Chicago-based Windy City Novelties, Inc. announced the deal with US Toy this week, though financial details were not disclosed. Founded in…

Financier of the Year: Worlds’ biggest financial leaders applaud C2FO for job-creating capital access

C2FO would’ve been profitable in the US alone, CEO says; how solving for global needs made it an even stronger fintech leader  The impact of one Kansas City-built fintech company is being felt far beyond the borders of the U.S., said Sandy Kemper, detailing how C2FO’s strategy to go global is creating hundreds of thousands…