To cultivate area ecosystem, Kauffman launches ‘KC Connector’ project
February 2, 2017 | Meghan LeVota
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is setting out on a mission to better connect people cultivating Kansas City’s entrepreneurial and education communities.
The Kauffman Foundation is asking Kansas Citians to nominate the area’s unsung heroes” for its new Community Connector Project. Inspired by similar initiatives that have been implemented in Portland, Philadelphia and Louisville, the Connector Project aims to match people, opportunities and resources.
“Other cities have used this process to identify new ideas and make better connections,” Larry Jacob, vice president of public affairs at the Kauffman Foundation, said in a release. “This is part of the Foundation’s ongoing approach to work with and learn from our community. The project will provide us with the opportunity to make sure our education and entrepreneurship strategies and funding of today and tomorrow are informed by those who work for progress every day.”
The Kauffman Foundation hired independent researcher Dr. Karen Stephenson to analyze the applications to maintain objectivity. Stephenson has been internationally recognized by her research in networks and relationships.
Applications will be accepted until March 3. In June, key connectors culled from the program will be invited to the Kauffman Foundation to be recognized and provided opportunities to “:design additional innovative ways to accelerate positive changes in Kansas City and beyond,” the foundation said.
For more information about how to apply, or if you’d just like to get involved, click here.
2017 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Mizzou students started making real angel investments from campus a decade ago; now they need more capital
COLUMBIA, Missouri — The college-aged leaders of Mizzou’s AACE Venture Fund are learning as they go: not just how to invest in real startups across the region, but how to make the university’s long-running student investment program sustainable. “We’re having real-world experiences — such as getting on the phone with founders, doing due diligence and…
A new credit union on Prospect aims to be the pebble that causes a ripple effect east of Troost
‘Moving individuals out of that payday loan cycle into a banking cycle’ The recent opening of a new credit union with a mission to serve residents of Kansas City’s east side marks a key milestone along “a long road” to build generational wealth for those historically disadvantaged. Since 2007, Dee Evans has been part of…
Facility Ally raises $700K to take its sports venue, ‘eatertainment’ SAAS platform national
Facility Ally, a sports facility and “eatertainment” management software company, has closed a $700,000 pre-seed funding round led by Slabotsky Family Office. The funds are expected to be used to build out Facility Ally’s development, sales and marketing teams. For sports facilities and leagues, Facility Ally provides a central hub for reservations, memberships, payment, waivers…
Healium augments funding with $3.6M seed round, adds Mayo Clinic deal
Healium, a virtual and augmented reality biofeedback company, announced Monday one of the largest private equity raises for a women-owned business in mid-Missouri history. The startup — which transforms bio-data from any fitness tracker into immersive, reactive media — has also entered into a know-how license agreement with Mayo Clinic. A “virtual firefly release” using mobile…