All Stories

This emerging fintech powerhouse is on a roll; how Cyphr models what’s possible with the right backing

By Tommy Felts / July 18, 2024

On the journey to closing what’s believed to be the largest pre-seed investment raised by two Black women in the fintech industry in Missouri, the co-founders of Kansas City-based Cyphr accepted the challenges in front of them and rode through noise, said Jannae Gammage. “I always knew that raising money as two Black women would…

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Do The Right Thing: Startup helps college applicants boost their odds, inserting character alongside test scores

By Tommy Felts / July 18, 2024

The following profile features one of five finalists for the “Do The Right Thing” social impact pitch competition organized by the KC BizCare Office, Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City and Startland News. Finalist features will be published throughout the week. Click here to read more features. Click here to vote for your favorite finalist…

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Do The Right Thing: EB Systems says tech can remove barriers for small biz, roll out red carpet for visitors to KC

By Tommy Felts / July 17, 2024

The following profile features one of five finalists for the “Do The Right Thing” social impact pitch competition organized by the KC BizCare Office, Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City and Startland News. Finalist features will be published throughout the week. Click here to read more features. Click here to vote for your favorite finalist…

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KC pop artist: Real-life stories he missed hearing as a youth deserve a ‘larger than life’ spotlight today

By Tommy Felts / July 17, 2024

Kansas City pop artist Zava’s musical awakening — the first song that truly inspired his soulful and upbeat vibe — has animated origins of its own, he shared. The tune — “Powerline” by Tevin Campbell, which was featured in “A Goofy Movie” — exposed Zava to artists who can make “larger than life,” uplifting songs, he…

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Just opportunity: How this KC sports company plans to ace PickleCon’s potential

By Tommy Felts / July 16, 2024

When “the Comic-Con for pickleball” arrives next month in Kansas City, Pro Athlete will have its feet firmly planted and be ready to swing at a wide array of opportunities served by the surging sport’s first major convention in the region. PickleCon debuts Aug. 8-11 in Kansas City, promising top-level competition that brings together pickleball…

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Do The Right Thing: Tate Williams plans to sell his startup (but he’s not looking for an exit)

By Tommy Felts / July 16, 2024

The following profile features one of five finalists for the “Do The Right Thing” social impact pitch competition organized by the KC BizCare Office, Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City and Startland News. Finalist features will be published throughout the week. Click here to read more features. Click here to vote for your favorite finalist…

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Switching equity plan providers during macro uncertainty

By Tommy Felts / July 15, 2024

Editor’s note: The perspectives expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. The following is a paid thought leadership piece from The Plaza Group at Morgan Stanley in Leawood, Kansas. Discover the benefits of evaluating a new equity plan provider; Managing equity plans can play a critical role in  fostering company ownership culture Managing equity plans could…

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New owners for Bo Lings’ Plaza location; here’s what the beloved restaurant is adding to its menu

By Tommy Felts / July 12, 2024

Change is on the way for a longtime staple of the Kansas City food scene: Bo Lings — the Chinese restaurant chain founded by Bo “Richard” Ng and Far “Theresa” Ling in 1981 — has partnered with W.VinZant Restaurants to reimagine its Country Club Plaza location with more contemporary and expansive Asian cuisine. The new…

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Prospect KC brews coffee bar collab with Messenger inside iconic downtown KC library

By Tommy Felts / July 12, 2024

A reimagined coffee shop — closed during the pandemic — returns to full strength Aug. 7 thanks to a menu of pastries, sandwiches, and salads prepared by The Prospect KC culinary students in a live-training environment, as well as drinks and coolers crafted with Messenger Coffee Co. The 1,350-square-foot coffee bar and café — dubbed…

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Cookies have taken over Sweet Kiss, but this mother-daughter brigadeiro shop has even more baked inside

By Tommy Felts / July 11, 2024

For Jessica Harris, a brigadeiro offers a taste of home, she said, and for almost a decade, she’s been sharing those Brazilian truffles with Kansas City. When the Sweet Kiss Brigadeiro co-founder relocated to the City of Fountains in 1996 — following her sister who moved the year before to play basketball for Penn Valley…

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