InvestMidwest returns to St. Louis May 6-7 for Midwest venture capital forum’s 25th year
ST. LOUIS — About 50 startups — including some of Kansas City’s most high-profile emerging companies — are expected to pitch to more than 100 investors May 6-7 when the InvestMidwest conference turns St. Louis into the gateway to innovation. “O... Read more
Tech veterans launch startup studio to back next-wave SaaS products with founder-led thinking
Backed by years of entrepreneurial wins, the team behind Full Scale and the exited Stackify just announced a new product studio and startup lab concept — purpose-built for what founder Matt Watson called the post-playbook SaaS era. “Founders tod... Read more
Great art stands on its own merits, said Diane Scott, but if the artist behind a piece can’t or doesn’t sell their vision to the world, their expression hasn’t achieved its goal. “Nobody makes art to not share it with other people,” added Scott,... Read more
Community honors ‘relentless storm’ of Chicano culture (starting with its unsung women)
An emotional celebration of Chicana women leaders, artists, and advocates earlier this month centered on honoring resilience and reclaiming identity — something Deanna Muñoz once felt pressured to hide. “I used to shrink myself,” said Muñoz, fou... Read more
Business on the rebound: KC entrepreneur brings platform for buying authentic jerseys back from the ice
A new player in Kansas City is shaking up the sports memorabilia scene. Aidan Scurato is breathing new life into Rebound Jerseys, a once-dormant Canadian marketplace for hockey jerseys — transforming it into a trusted platform for buying and sel... Read more
Fortune 500 company says it’s bringing 2,000 jobs paying $100K to OP’s former Sprint campus
No better proof that ‘Kansas City has the capacity and competitiveness to meet this moment’ A globe-spanning fintech leader’s plan to create a new strategic hub in Overland Park is expected to include a $4 billion payroll investment in the Kansa... Read more
An eight-figure funding injection is expected to allow Steadily to fuel growth in its greatest asset: talent, shared OverlandPark-based co-founder and COO Datha Santomieri. On Wednesday, the landlord insurance startup — with headquarters in Over... Read more
Mr K finalist reveal: Meet the 10 contenders for KC Chamber’s Small Business of the Year
The KC Chamber just announced the 10 finalists for its prestigious 2025 Small Business of the Year honor — setting the stage for a two-month campaign for selected entrepreneurs that ends this summer with one company crowned the Mr. K Award winne... Read more
Why executing even the greatest startup idea first requires sales (and beyond-superficial curiosity)
That sexy pitch alone might not get your startup its first customer, said Lee Walter, noting that lasting success relies heavily on jumping outside the vaunted “ideation” phase to truly question a venture’s value. Walter’s revelation — born from... Read more
Look inside: North KC brewery adds game bar to the block (plus one of KC’s favorite sandwiches)
A game bar with a vintage national park theme is coming to North Kansas City next month — with Bay Boy sandwiches packed for the short trip. The Commons is an extension of Cinder Block Brewery at 110 E. 18th Ave. The craft brewery opened in Sept... Read more