News Stories

Joni Cobb, Center for American Entrepreneurship

DC-based lobbying group for entrepreneurs names former Pipeline leader as new leader

A fresh face joining the helm of a leading lobbying organization for entrepreneurs is expected to bring Midwest perspective and representation to the fight to create more jobs through the innovation economy. Joni Cobb, the founding president and CEO of Pipeline Entrepreneurs — a Kansas City, Kansas-based network of startup founders now led by executive…

Sarah Hill, Healium, StoryUp, a portfolio company of Missouri Technology Corporation

Missouri wants to match investors’ funds for promising young startups; founders have until Monday to apply

A pair of competitive startup funding programs backed by the State of Missouri are poised to boost companies with Show Me potential, said Jack Scatizzi as the deadline rapidly nears for this year’s IDEA Funds. “We invest both state and federal funding into the most promising high growth-potential startups,” said Scatizzi, executive director of the…

Andy, Arlo, and Molly Heise, GoGoBloom

Retro-inspired activewear brought this stay-at-home mom out of isolation; why it’s go-go time for Molly Heise’s budding business

Molly Heise’s earliest memories go back to playing marbles on her great-grandma’s avocado-colored shag carpet, captivated by the various floral patterns that surrounded her, she recalled. Today, those memories inspire her personal style and activewear line, GoGoBloom. “I’ve loved the retro style for as long as I can remember,” she shared. “But in the past…

Ben Wine and Dave Eames, Fossil Forge

They fought to end Lee’s Summit’s neon ban; now they’re relighting a grinning, spinning Katz face in KC

How a Lee’s Summit duo is reviving eye-catching signs of KC’s past The iconic face of Katz Drug Store — the famed retail operation that grew from the streets of Kansas City to eventually become CVS — is set to return to its hometown thanks, in part, to a pair of unlikely neon sign restorationists. …

Dr. Philip Hickman, PlaBook

PlaBook to compete for $1M in prizes at world’s largest pitch competition for edtech startups

Fresh off its selection to Pipeline’s latest fellowship, a Kansas City edtech startup is now set to compete at The Elite 200 as a semifinalist in The GSV Cup — representing top pre-seed and  seed stage startups in digital learning across the “Pre-K to Gray” space. KC-based PlaBook is set to vie for $1 million…