All Stories

Jason Tatge, Farmobile

Farmobile’s Jason Tatge: Why venture capitalists can’t afford to fly over Midwest startups

By Tommy Felts / November 12, 2018

Savvy investors are turning their attention to the Midwest. Leading VC firms and investors are fleeing from the high prices, the groupthink and the cutthroat competition of the coasts and turning to the heart of the United States for their next moonshots. And yet, the Midwest attracts just 7 percent of VC capital, a tiny…

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2017 Kritiq fashion show

VIDEO: Kritiq designs more emotional KC runway show with Goodwill crossover

By Tommy Felts / November 9, 2018

When the Kritiq fashion show returns to the runway later this month, it will be an event styled with creativity and an intimate feel, said Mark Launiu, noting a new partnership with Goodwill stores across Kansas and Missouri. “For me, I grew up shopping at Goodwill, my family still shops at Goodwill, so it kind…

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Sans Bar

Against the grain: Coworking leader bringing alcohol-free ‘Sans Bar’ pop-up concept to KC

By Tommy Felts / November 8, 2018

Entrepreneur events should focus less on alcohol, and more on connections, said Melissa Saubers. “Part of my goal is to help educate and bring awareness to people who are hosting events — and also have alcohol in the workplace — to help them be more sensitive and inclusive for people who don’t drink,” said Saubers,…

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GEW most popular

On the agenda: What are GEW’s 10 most popular events so far? Practical workshops

By Tommy Felts / November 8, 2018

With more than 170 events planned, organizers of Global Entrepreneurship Week already are seeing registration trends from those building their weeklong agendas at GEWKC.org Topping the most popular are GEW’s kickoff breakfast — set to explore the future in terms of emerging Latino markets, transportation and the Hyperloop, and sports technology — and Marquita Miller’s…

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Felicia and Derek Hatcher, BlackTech Week

BlackTech Week curating GEW conversation between founders with ‘true experiences’

By Tommy Felts / November 8, 2018

Bringing BlackTech Week to Kansas City for a day — and debuting the event series during Global Entrepreneurship Week — seemed like a natural fit, said Denayja Reese. The Miami-based festival draws together black entrepreneur leaders who already are championing the startup hustle of their communities, she said. Powered by Code Fever, which was founded…

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Kevin Williams and Brittany Williams, WISE Power

Saudi Arabian investment pushing KC’s WISE Power into Nigeria, Japan, Middle East markets

By Tommy Felts / November 7, 2018

The multimillion-dollar investment from a Saudi Arabian accelerator and capital firm is pushing WISE Power from the West Bottoms to global growth, said Kevin Williams. “The injection will allow us to expand quickly to get this technology out to the world, which was what our original intent was with WISE Power,” said Williams, founder of…

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Kyle Smith, Determination, Incorporated, Rise Up Get Started

Fund Me, KC: ‘Rise Up, Get Started’ competitions give spotlight to formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs

By Tommy Felts / November 7, 2018

Startland News is continuing its segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like startup community leader founder Kyle J. Smith’s Rise Up, Get Started campaign— to share their crowdfunding stories to gain a little help from their supporters. Who are you? I am Kyle J Smith, founder of…

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Clint Velazquez, Base Academy of Music (BAM)

VIDEO: KC startup BAM supplies soundtrack to LEANLAB’s education mission

By Tommy Felts / November 6, 2018

The mission of Base Academy of Music (BAM) is clear –– help kids in Kansas City’s urban core reach their God-given potential, one note at a time, said Clint Velazquez. “Music is what got me through school,” Velazquez, founder of the academy said. “I became a music teacher later in life. Working in the suburbs,…

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KCFD: Only 19 accidents in four months involving electric scooters popular in Crossroads, downtown

By Tommy Felts / November 6, 2018

The arrival of trendy Bird and Lime electric scooters hasn’t tripped panic alarms for the emergency medical services in Kansas City, according to a new report from the city. A manual review of nearly 100,000 EMS records logged between July and Oct. 31 shows only 19 accidents involving the scooters, the Kansas City Fire Department…

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Teach for America KC celebrating 10 years building entrepreneurs to fight education inequity

By Tommy Felts / November 6, 2018

Dividends from Teach for America KC swelled Rachel Foster’s development as a teacher and community member invested in Kansas City, the leader in innovation-driven education said. “I owe everything, it feels like, to Teach for America,” said Foster, Young Entrepreneurial Spirit program leader at Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy. “The fruits keep coming in for…

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