All Stories

Convenient target: Smarter regulation needed to combat peer-to-peer payment scams

By Tommy Felts / July 11, 2024

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Tony Bergida is an Olathe-based entrepreneur and small business owner, as well as a candidate for Johnson County Commission District 6. Click here to read more about that race in the 2024 KC Voter Guide, a free-to-access resource produced through a partnership of…

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Catalyst Fund tops $2M invested in nonprofits boosting people of color; meet the latest grantees

By Tommy Felts / July 10, 2024

The latest batch of Catalyst Fund grants — a combined $500,000 across nearly two dozen organizations — seeks to elevate the work of small nonprofits that are led by or primarily serve Black, Latino, and other people of color across the region, said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace. “Looking across the list of organizations in this third…

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KC’s remaining shopping malls face an economic crossroads (and starkly different futures)

By Tommy Felts / July 10, 2024

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Kansas City PBS/Flatland, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, The Kansas City Beacon, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story. Country Club Plaza, Oak Park Mall, Independence Center hit with similar challenges The…

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Inside KC’s SubTropolis: How Missouri businesses are looking below the surface for new opportunities

By Tommy Felts / July 10, 2024

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Missouri Business Alert, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and The Kansas City Beacon. Click here to read the original story. Visitors driving into SubTropolis on a recent morning were immediately greeted by rows…

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Missouri to create ‘Office of Entrepreneurship,’ prioritize access for emerging ventures

By Tommy Felts / July 10, 2024

Newly signed legislation — part of a nationwide Right to Start initiative with roots in Kansas City — is expected to boost starters across Missouri, advocates said this week, and reflects broad public and bipartisan support for eliminating barriers for new entrepreneurs and overlooked business owners. “Advancing entrepreneurship will energize the Missouri economy,” said Missouri…

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Just funded: Meet the newest Digital Sandbox KC startups (and see what they’re building now)

By Tommy Felts / July 9, 2024

Digital Sandbox KC this week announced five new startups joining its program that will receive crucial support, mentorship and up to $20,000 in project funding to accelerate their innovative projects.  “We are delighted to bring these cutting-edge startups into the Sandbox, connecting them with the necessary support and resources to advance their innovative projects,” said…

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Matt Watson scales third startup to exit; shifting full capacity to his tech services company

By Tommy Felts / July 8, 2024

At Capacity is returning to the company where it all began; the SaaS platform recently sold to CAMP Digital, co-founder and serial entrepreneur Matt Watson confirmed. Details of the sale were not disclosed, but the exit comes just 16 months after Watson and Meg Stapleton launched At Capacity. Click here to read more about the…

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Pulling $250K in annual sales and ready to scale? This KC cohort could take your small biz to the next level

By Tommy Felts / July 8, 2024

As many as 20 local entrepreneurs and business owners could be selected for the latest game-changing program from ScaleUP! Kansas City. The key to getting in: proven revenue and a market ready for their supercharged ventures. ScaleUP! Kansas City — built within the UMKC Innovation Center — is now accepting applications for its no-cost cohort,…

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‘It’s OK to start small’: She knew nothing about decorating cookies; a year later this baker quit her full-time job to scale up

By Tommy Felts / July 3, 2024

Karissa Todd has taken a family recipe, added in a little hard work and dedication, and baked it into a thriving sugar cookie business, she shared. After launching Cookie Bliss KC out of her house in 2018, Todd opened a storefront in the Northland, 3518 Northeast Vivion Road, in November, selling her signature soft sugar…

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KC BioHub leaders refining plan after $75M Tech Hubs proposal fails initial test

By Tommy Felts / July 2, 2024

A massive regional initiative to secure federal funds for Kansas City’s burgeoning Tech Hub failed to win approval, BioNexus KC officials announced Tuesday, with advocates lauding organizers’ efforts and pledging to continue their push. The KC BioHub was seeking funding Phase II funding from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Tech Hubs competition — a process…

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