All Stories

Crossroads small biz owners to Royals: Come back with a better plan (and put it in writing)

By Tommy Felts / April 4, 2024

It didn’t have to be this way, said Crossroads business owners, blaming Tuesday’s failed stadium sales tax initiative on what they viewed as a lack of transparency and legally binding agreements, too many last-minute deals and changes, and a disregard for community input. Most, however, hope the conversation isn’t entirely finished. Jackson County voters this…

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These founders just earned Digital Sandbox KC funds; next comes proving their concepts

By Tommy Felts / April 4, 2024

A trio of newly funded Digital Sandbox KC companies includes a closely-guarded startup launched by an exited Pipeline founder who also helped bring headline-grabbing sports tech to the forefront of the Kansas City innovation scene. Mission Hills, Kansas-based Chemniscient (pronounced kemʹniSH(Ə)nt) is currently operating confidentially and is not disclosing any product information to the public…

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Kemper Family Foundation

By Tommy Felts / April 3, 2024
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Voters hand Royals, Chiefs a resounding defeat on sales tax that would’ve funded stadium projects

By Tommy Felts / April 3, 2024

Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. The 3/8th-cent sales tax extension would have helped build a new Kansas City Royals stadium downtown as well as fund renovations…

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Kelce Jam returning to KC in May with Lil Wayne, Diplo, 2Chainz (plus Takis and Uncrustables)

By Tommy Felts / April 2, 2024

Travis Kelce’s celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs’ back-to-back Super Bowl championships not only flexes the star tight end’s pull with top-tier artists, but showcases his ability to attract major brand deals. Kelce Jam returns Saturday, May 18 to Azura Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, Kansas, with musical performances personally curated by the three-time Super Bowl…

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Voice of the Chiefs offers advice for startups: Stay hungry, humble and pointed toward your goal post

By Tommy Felts / April 2, 2024

WICHITA, Kansas — Don’t settle for one winning season, Mitch Holthus — the longtime voice of the Kansas City Chiefs — told a group of startup founders, encouraging entrepreneurs to keep pushing forward before they find themselves hitting a professional plateau. “You celebrate milestones, but you don’t stay there,” said Holthus, comparing the average lifespan…

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KC duo’s play to bring more college softball recruiters to Midwest goes into extra innings with new tech tool 

By Tommy Felts / April 2, 2024

A Kansas City softball dad’s desire for a legacy has grown from a single tournament into four dozen events in eight states and a million-dollar boost for the Kansas City region’s economy, shared Jeremy McDowell. Newly developed tech could bring even more eyes to the Midwest’s best emerging players. Top Gun Events — founded by…

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BlackBizFest aims to make Black-owned businesses top of mind for all KC consumers

By Tommy Felts / April 2, 2024

Anticipation is growing for this spring’s debut BlackBizFest, said Marsha Willis, teasing a week-long celebration that puts Black excellence and entrepreneurship on full display. Among the standout elements of the May 13-19 festival: the Kansas City Black Expo and Black Business Ball & Honors. “We want people to put on their tourist hats, go participate,…

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Why these Gen Z marketers want KC startups to channel the power of TikTok Shop

By Tommy Felts / April 2, 2024

A Kansas City-built Gen Z ad agency is opening a TikTok Shop challenge this spring — scrolling through plans to elevate startups’ and small business’s social media brands and offer a chance to win $100,000 in services.  TRNDSTTRS Media —  ranked No. 3 in client revenue on TikTok — expects the challenge to run May…

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Bardavon founder moves to board as company promotes new CEO from its C-suite

By Tommy Felts / April 2, 2024

Matt Condon spent the past decade driving Bardavon Health Innovations from an idea to where it is today, the healthtech founder said, but the path forward requires another leader — one with a unique set of skills and abilities. Bardavon on Monday announced Condon’s move from the CEO role at the company to its board…

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