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 Innovato... Read more
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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 i... Read more
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 A... Read more
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 cont... Read more
How a toy car can recapture a moment (and put a little cash in this student’s pocket)
Collecting toys is in Andrew Bates’ blood, the UMKC senior said — and now it’s in his wallet. A supply chain management student at the university, Bates was exposed to the hunt for nostalgia early, he said; his father was snagging Hot Wheels for... Read more
Startup Weekend’s challenge: Build Missouri’s next billion-dollar idea (in three days)
COLUMBIA, Missouri — Budding entrepreneurs are gathering next month for a three-day business pitch event that could earn them $45,000 in prizes plus a $150,000 investment opportunity for the winning company with billion-dollar potential, organiz... Read more
Lawmaker asks SBA to relocate offices from KC to Columbia, citing sanctuary-like policies for immigrants
A Kansas City-area congressman wants the U.S. Small Business Administration to move its offices from downtown Kansas City to central Missouri, amid President Trump’s nationwide crackdown on undocumented immigrants and a broad restructuring of ho... Read more
Midwest-focused M25 rolls out new venture partners across region, adding high-profile STL founder
CHICAGO — An influential venture capital firm with portfolio companies in Kansas City and across the region on Thursday announced a St. Louis serial entrepreneur as the latest venture partner joining its mission to back a new generation of Midwe... Read more
Roster filled: 32 Kansas startups march into Round 2 of tourney-style pitch competition
WICHITA — Nearly three dozen Sunflower State startups are vying for $20,000 in prize money — and courting the attention of investors — as they advance to the second round of an innovative, state-backed pitch competition set amid the excitement o... Read more