FIFA World Cup 2026

Sisterhood of entrepreneurs: World Cup small biz effort forged unexpected bonds between founders

Business owners backed by the City of Entrepreneurs initiative are getting more than they bargained for, said Jackie Nguyen, describing the scene during the FIFA World Cup when she looked around Union Station and found herself surrounded by a freshly connected sisterhood — a family — of entrepreneurs.

Her startup needed a user test lab: Access to KC’s World Cup marketplace opened door to rapid, live iteration

CodeAlgo Academy left Union Station with more than just new customers. The edtech startup wrapped its FIFA World Cup-timed residency with a new product roadmap shaped by thousands of conversations throughout the five-week City of Entrepreneurs marketplace.

Benditt Like Balm Box: World Cup isn’t over for this KC entrepreneur; she’s competing for $20K

Liz Benditt hasn’t earned a trophy for surviving cancer six times, but her rebound did inspire the Kansas City area mom to launch Balm Box — thoughtful support boxes for cancer recovery. Now Benditt’s nearly 20-year entrepreneur journey is taking her to Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final. But first, she must take the pitch Friday.

Shooting his shot: See KC through the lens of a man on stage for Fan Fest’s biggest moments 

Frank Q. Pham’s most-pressing challenge during the FIFA World Cup wasn’t the heat or even getting close to the biggest stage in town. The Kansas City photographer — who seemingly was shooting everything, everywhere throughout the games — was busiest combatting FOMO, he said.

Sports leaders who tied their legacies to World Cup: KC businesses, fans impressed the world

Kansas City seized its moment in the international spotlight, said Clark Hunt, sweeping aside what he called past concerns about FIFA World Cup economic impact and visitor projections to laud work on the ground by local officials, entrepreneurs and fans.