KC entrepreneurs talk funding, advice over breakfast

June 11, 2015  |  James Hart

KC Skyline1

It can be tough for young, growing companies to find funding in Kansas City, but it’s not impossible.

That was one of the takeaways from Thinking Bigger Business’ BIG Breakfast on June 11 at the Kauffman Foundation. The quarterly breakfast features stories and insights from four local entrepreneurs, many of whom have appeared in recent issues of Thinking Bigger Business.

This time, the panelists included Jeff Blackwood of ABPathfinder, Callie England of Rawxies, Lisa Sackuvich of ARJ Infusion Services and Dr. Michelle Robin of Your Wellness Connection.

England’s company relocated to the West Coast for a time, but eventually moved back to Kansas City, where she’s benefited from working with programs like the Pipeline Entrepreneurial Fellowship and plugging into the business community.

She said that it can be more challenging to locate funding here, but pointed to two local groups—the Women’s Capital Connection and the Mid-America Angels—that have helped Rawxies grow.

To read more, visit Thinking Bigger Business Media’s website …

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

2015 Startups to Watch

    stats here

    Related Posts on Startland News

    Attic with global ambitions: Luxury brand builds from humble origins to Material Opulence

    By Tommy Felts | August 19, 2025

    Renauld Shelton II sees power stitched into the seams of fashion, the Kansas City designer said, detailing the dynamic pairing of apparel and pride that grounds his luxury clothing brand. “It’s a confidence builder. When you look good, you feel good,” said Shelton, founder and CEO of Material Opulence. “It sets you up for success.”…

    Startup Crawl returns Sept. 19, marking Startland’s 10-year anniversary with KC innovation focus

    By Tommy Felts | August 19, 2025

    Kansas City’s largest startup open house is back this fall — celebrating a decade of innovation alongside emerging builders and newsmakers. Set for Sept.19 and organized by Startland News, Startup Crawl will mark the newsroom’s 10-year anniversary with a high-energy showcase of the city’s entrepreneurial community. The event, presented by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation,…

    How reactivating history can drive economic growth more sustainably than a new build

    By Tommy Felts | August 18, 2025

    Editor’s note: The following is part of an ongoing feature series exploring impacts of initiatives within the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City through a paid partnership with EDCKC. Hotel owners wanted charm that can’t be built in today’s economy; Kansas City history booked them the bones to do it A one-of-a-kind, limestone-clad building at 906…

    Meet 20 entrepreneurs primed to scale their ventures through KC program’s 15th cohort

    By Tommy Felts | August 18, 2025

    Transformational opportunities await growth-minded entrepreneurs from across Kansas City’s wide range of industries, said Jill Hathaway, noting business leaders from sports tech to roofing, brewing to nutrition counseling, can scale with the right coaching, perspective and connections. ScaleUP! Kansas City on Monday announced its 15th cohort of 20 local companies looking to create new jobs,…