Startups Stories

Isaac Collins, Yogurtini

Pivoting back to a full-time franchise hustle: ‘Worst thing you can do is stop,’ Yogurtini owner says

Running a franchise can require as much passion and perseverance as any other entrepreneurial endeavor — including those in the startup space, said Isaac Collins. Would-be business owners shouldn’t get caught up in the jargon of what is and isn’t “real” hustle when trying to craft a livelihood for themselves or their families, he said. A…

Nathan Kurtz, Brush Creek Partners; Drew Solomon, Economic Development Council of Kansas City, Missouri; Tommy Wilson and Mike Hurd, Downtown Council of Kansas City

LaunchKC, Brush Creek unveil InsureTech accelerator led by longtime startup advocate

The latest LaunchKC-powered industry accelerator aims to bring a new wave of technology Kansas City’s insurance community, said Nathan Kurtz. “There’s a rich heritage of insurance in Kansas City,” said Kurtz, COO of Brush Creek Partners, announcing the bcp tech InsurTech Accelerator, which teams Brush Creek with TechAssure and LaunchKC. “Brush Creek’s purpose is to…

Don Peterson, Launch Health demo day

Packed demo day at Alamo Drafthouse caps inaugural Launch Health Accelerator 

More than 200 investors and entrepreneurs attended the recent Demo Day for the Launch Health Accelerator powered by Nueterra Capital. Demo Day marked the conclusion of the 75-day accelerator and featured presentation pitches from each of the six cohort companies.  After a short networking reception in the Chesterfield bar inside the Alamo Drafthouse Kansas City,…

Clarence Tan and Edna Martinson, Boddle Learning

Boddle scores $25K AT&T Aspire audience award thanks to tough love on duo’s most difficult pitch

Just because a pitch is tough doesn’t mean it won’t payoff, said Clarence Tan.  “Smiles will take you miles,” Tan, CEO and cofounder of Boddle Learning, said of his and co-founder Edna Martinson’s latest pitch at the AT&T Pitches and Purpose contest in San Francisco — the pair’s most difficult presentation to date, they said…

Jeff Jones, H&R Block

H&R Block plans $3.5M in KC investments to combat social isolation, boost entrepreneurs

H&R Block filed its intentions Thursday to contribute $6.5 million over the next five years to support neighborhood revitalization and the success of small businesses nationally — with $3.5 million slated specifically for Kansas City. “Make Every Block Better” teams the Kansas City-born tax preparation giant with five key partners in the local entrepreneur and…