Connecting social entrepreneurs, Conquer for Good launches event series
July 17, 2017 | Meghan LeVota
To spur the creation of socially-conscious enterprises in Kansas City, brand strategy firm Will & Grail announced Thursday the launch of Conquer for Good: Connect, an event series.
Following up on the conversation from the Conquer for Good conference in March, the monthly event series will feature talks from Kansas City business leaders who lead purpose-driven companies.
CEO of Will & Grail Mark O’Renick said that the Conquer for Good conference’s inaugural event was a success, adding that the conference will return in 2018. The event featured speakers from firms such as Charlie Hustle, Water.org, the Arnold Development Group and more.
“The March event validated the desire for conversation, collaboration and community building focused on social innovation and purpose-driven business,” O’Renick said. “Based on the incredible response to the first event, we saw a need for smaller, more frequent interactions — which is what the Connect series will provide.”
O’Renick said that the Conquer for Good: Connect series aims to strengthen the community of social entrepreneurs in Kansas City, creating a positive impact for the metro.
“The community response has been amazing,” O’Renick said “We’re really thankful for the people who stepped forward to help. People are willing to help promote the event and connect us with organizations that are changing how we view the role of business in the world, how we solve social problems, and balance money and meaning in our lives.
He said that Conquer for Good, an initiative of Will & Grail, is currently forming a steering committee that will help the movement evolve to better support Kansas City. O’Renick added that he plans to take the conference to other cities in the future.
“If we do this right, we’re confident we can have a profound, positive impact on lives, communities and the world,” O’Renick said. “And that’s work that matters.”
The Connect series kicks off Aug. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at Will & Grail’s offices at 1810 Cherry in the Crossroads Arts District.
Here is the full schedule of speakers:
- The Call KC, Brent Lager — Aug. 8, 5:30 p.m.
- By Grace Designs, Emily Moon — Sept. 12, 5:30 p.m.
- Community Services League, Doug Cowan — Oct. 10, 5:30 p.m.

2017 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Artist incubator paints scene of blissful collaboration in far-from-lonely West Bottoms space
Vanessa Lacy’s artist incubator eliminates “the lonely artist,” she said, noting her gallery model replaces solitude with creative relationships and a collaborative community. “Artists tend to get very isolated in their studio spaces working on their own; then they have a relationship with a gallery that’s really more of a business relationship,” said Lacy, owner…
Take the Kauffman survey: Is KC’s startup culture welcoming and inclusive to all?
Perception shapes reality, said organizers of a survey that seeks greater understanding of Kansas City’s startup culture. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s 2018 Entrepreneurship in Kansas City survey checks the pulse of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem by raising specific questions about culture and practice in workplaces across the metro, said John Quinterno and Julie Marks,…
Onward scores $1M grant from Chan Zuckerberg Initiative for payday loan end-run
Everyone needs a financial cushion, said Ronnie Washington — even a fintech startup offering low- to moderate-income workers a path to avoid predatory lending practices, the Onward founder said. A member of KC-based Fountain City Fintech’s inaugural cohort, Onward is one of 10 companies from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico being awarded $1 million…
