El Cafe Cubano

Rep Urs: City of Entrepreneurs reframes KC hustle as open door to community-backed culture of wealth

City of Entrepreneurs is not a single program, but a framework connecting efforts across policy, capital access, and physical space, all aimed at making entrepreneurship easier to navigate and more likely to succeed.

Pipeline reveals new founder-first cohort: Meet the entrepreneurs fueling a Midwest innovation surge 

With more than a dozen new members joining its fellowship, the Pipeline Entrepreneurs network is growing not only its ranks, Melissa Vincent said; the elite founder-focused program is working to ensure the best of Midwest innovation stays in the region. “We have assembled a powerful group of founders, ranging from deep-tech and life sciences in…

Five stocking stuffer gift ideas that brew support for women-owned KC businesses

Editor’s note: The following holiday feature is presented by nbkc bank, where small businesses find big support Shopping with intention this season is just one way Kansas City gift-givers can squeeze local impact into each nook and cranny of those holiday stockings, said Melissa Eggleston, highlighting a sleigh-ful of women-owned businesses shoppers should bank on…

Small Biz to Watch: El Café Cubano brews rich simplicity inspired by ancestors’ appetite for the American dream

Editor’s note: Startland News is showcasing five Kansas City small businesses this week through the newsroom’s first-ever Small Biz to Watch series, presented by Bank of America. The following highlights one of the 2025 honorees, curated by editors from Kansas City’s wide array of hard-working entrepreneurs and business owners. Selection criteria is based on factors…

Pipeline doubles-down on diverse voices: Meet its new class of Pathfinder entrepreneurs

Programs built to support emerging founders who are primed to break through — despite entering entrepreneurship from a different starting point — have never been more needed, said Melissa Vincent, announcing the newest class of Pipeline Pathfinders. “In today’s climate, programs like Pathfinder are not just valuable — they’re essential,” said Vincent, CEO of Pipeline…