Woman-led Stories
Still in the game: 16 startups advance in Kansas pitch tournament; courting a new style of seed funding
WICHITA — And then there were 16. Monday’s pitch competition announcement served up sweet news for more than a dozen Kansas startups as local founders learned they’re advancing in the Gamechangers & Champions “Bracket Bash for Innovators and Angels” — a tournament-style event set to end with a $20,000 grand prize. The just-released list of…
Trio adds Asian fusion to KCK culinary cluster; new BYO ramen, poke spot opens by May
This little strip in Kansas City, Kansas, boasts some of the metro’s favorite restaurants: Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, 1889 Pizza Napoletana, and Gus’s World Famous Chicken. Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop is just down the street in Westwood. Now an Asian fusion restaurant is joining the mix. Sannin — poke, sushi and ramen — plans to…
Meet the competition: 10 entrepreneurs vying for $60K at KC GIFT ‘Pitch Black’ business summit
The return of Kansas City G.I.F.T.’s spring pitch competition not only opens the door to prize money for emerging Black entrepreneurs, said Brandon Calloway, it also allows community members and supporters of his nonprofit to see the impact of its mission firsthand. GIFT’s highly anticipated Pitch Black Business Summit 2025 is set for 10 a.m….
Support without limits: Doctor duo flexes scrub design that’s a dream for women, mothers-to-be
A pair of Kansas City doctors diagnosed a chronic need in maternity and versatility care for women — turning to entrepreneurship to prescribe “bump to pump” comfort and flexibility through a new line of scrubs. “Being physicians, we want to continue to help people,” said Dr. Christine Khong, who co-founded Vervee Scrubs alongside Dr. Melanie…
Physician assistant, mom juggles healthy challenge: opening two Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchises
A new Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisee is opening not one, but two locations this spring — all while keeping her day job and raising twin 4-year-olds. Nikki Vogel is taking over 2,200-square-feet in the former Calibration Brewery building at 119 Armour Road in North Kansas City for a scheduled April 16 opening. (It will be…
