Merry Outlaw’s quick pivot to a COVID-19 Mutual Aid app raised $11,000 in a little over a month — but donations slowed as people turned their eyes back to “normal life,” said Lindsay Smith. “Our first month we hit $10,000 — and you don’t want t... Read more
Editor’s note: The following is a student-written article written by one of 357 interns in CommunityAmerica Credit Union’s recent virtual innovation internship program. Sydney Newton is an incoming junior at Shawnee Mission East High School. Com... Read more
I’m black and a Plaza business owner — in that order; why a Main Street entrepreneur joined KC’s protests
Isaac Collins is exhausted, but he can’t sleep. His wife and mother are both worried about the 31-year-old community entrepreneur whose business is just blocks away from the scene of late-night mayhem and unrest following peaceful protests on Ka... Read more
COVID-19 opened door for to-go cocktails; KC Daiquiri duo wants to keep sales flowing permanently
If Missouri and Kansas City leaders want to help small businesses recoup lost cash after weeks of shutdown, they’d be wise to take a cue from the Big Easy, said owners of KC Daiquiri Shop. “The restaurant industry I’m seeing right now is kind o... Read more
Techstars KC returns: Meet 10 startups bringing diverse solutions to the rebooted accelerator
The hotly anticipated Techstars Kansas City 2020 accelerator class features startups enabling greater transparency and access in healthcare, the food supply, and justice for all, said Lesa Mitchell. Two of the ventures are based in St. Louis. “W... Read more
Engineered to paint: When life provides a big canvas, use it all, tech-turned-artist says
Talent doesn’t always equal success in the art world — but that doesn’t mean creatives should lose hope, said Aaron Norris. “You have to be willing to grind. Day in and day out. Keep creating, keep sculpting, keep painting, keep sketching — and... Read more
Julep owner: KCMO liquor rules could drown bar-restaurants already struggling to reopen
As locally owned bars and restaurants start to reopen, a new threat to their success is emerging — city regulations designed in a pre-pandemic world. “There’s a lot of unintended consequences from these mandated shutdowns that need to be addres... Read more
Tesseract’s robot reveal: Wearable proximity trackers to keep workers at a safe distance
Kansas City-wired clip-on robots could make social distancing a second thought, as Tesseract Ventures shares its first mainstream product with the world. “This product exemplifies our mantra that there is nothing more human than technology and... Read more
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Rodney Sampson is founder of Atlanta-based Opportunity Hub, as well as OHUB’s Kansas City minority accelerator, OHUB.KC, which operates through a partnership with t... Read more
Kansas City has room for more than one female singer or artist, said Leah Watts. Focused on collaboration rather than competition, Women on the Rise aims the spotlight at an erroneous industry assumption shared by too many music executives, audi... Read more