Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Victor Hwang, Right to Start, "The Start Show"

Right to Start: Economic justice, entrepreneurship aren’t privileges for a select few, Victor Hwang says

Everyone deserves an equal start, said Victor Hwang, launching an initiative to level the playing field for early stage entrepreneurs. “We’re a campaign to rebuild the American economy by fighting for entrepreneurial opportunity for all of us — regardless of background, race, place, genders, disabilities, or circumstances. We call them ‘starters,’” said Hwang, founder and…

Dan Smith, The Porter House KC

Heartland Challenge: Meet Kauffman’s 17 grantees (and the projects getting funded)

The only way to regain lost momentum in the Heartland’s cities and rural areas: work together to develop, catalyze, and expand inclusive programs and strengthen regional ecosystems, said Melissa Roberts Chapman. A new portfolio of 17 grantee organizations is up to the challenge, she added. “Entrepreneurship represents an opportunity for this region to reverse a…

Wendy Guillies, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Kauffman leader at pitch contest: Listen to young people’s ideas, vision for the future

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. Lucia Umbreit is an incoming junior at Liberty High School. CommunityAmerica is a financial partner of STARTLAND, the parent organization of Startland News. Student teams made three-minute pitches to five Kansas City…

$26K in prizes: Sidelined students pitch entrepreneurial empathy in COVID-19 virtual competition

Editor’s note: STARTLAND is the parent organization of Startland News, though this report was produced independently by Startland News’ non-profit newsroom. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial supporter of Startland News A month ago, few students could’ve imagined pitching real-world solutions to COVID-19 challenges in front of a panel of Kansas City celebrity judges,…

Kemet Coleman, Kemet Creative; Heidi Gardner, “Saturday Night Live”; Lisa Ginter, CommunityAmerica; Wendy Guillies, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; and Sandy Kemper, C2FO

Dapper rapper, ‘SNL’ star, top CEOs join student pitch competition as KC celebrity judges

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. STARTLAND is the parent organization of Startland News, though this report was produced…