All Stories

Open Doors: Here’s how KCMO plans to turn empty storefronts into a World Cup stage for local talent

By Tommy Felts / October 15, 2025

Applications are now open for grants of up to $10,000 for businesses and artists who want to activate underutilized or vacant commercial spaces in the downtown area during the coming FIFA World Cup to showcase Kansas City’s entrepreneurial spirit.  Funds awarded through the just-detailed Open Doors! Program — crafted through a partnership between the City…

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He took over a house-trained side hustle; meow it’s time scale the gourmet catnip brand 

By Tommy Felts / October 14, 2025

Adam Larson might be severely allergic to cats, but he’s following his own advice — pawing away at a gourmet catnip side hustle and toying with the best market fit for the business (and his life). Larson — who also is a network convener for MOSourceLink, the founder Decimal Projects, and a former program coordinator at…

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How Main Street Summit is putting homegrown small business on stage with Tim Tebow

By Tommy Felts / October 14, 2025

COLUMBIA, Missouri — Small businesses don’t stay small on purpose, said Colby Kraus, echoing a mantra popular among organizers of the Main Street Summit — an immersive downtown experience rich with enough Americana capital for entrepreneurs and community builders from all walks of life.  Approaching its third year, Main Street Summit is set to return Nov.…

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ICYMI: MTC says it’s moving forward with select entrepreneur programs despite steep state funding cuts

By Tommy Felts / October 14, 2025

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. The Missouri Technology Corp. has released its annual implementation plan, announcing which programs will…

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KCultivator Q&A: Jessica Powell gets candid about ‘KC Nice’ (and how she’d spend $1M)

By Tommy Felts / October 13, 2025

Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Let’s get real, Jessica Powell said with a wry smirk, explaining her vision for a Kansas City that works together — and stops cannibalizing its own.   “I’m a startup junkie,” the community champion and founder of Social…

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Pure Pitch Rally reveals competitors for its 10th crowd-funded, spot-cash pitch contest

By Tommy Felts / October 13, 2025

Eight emerging startups set to take the Pure Pitch Rally stage next month will become part of the Kansas City tech community’s evolving story, said Karen Fenaroli, touting a decade of impact that has seen millions in follow-on capital raised and thousands of jobs created across the region. “It is no longer just an event,”…

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Sisters brew backyard-style beers from a historic firehouse in Budweiser territory

By Tommy Felts / October 11, 2025

Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A midlife career crisis took Carol…

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LISTEN: Meet the partners behind Plug and Play Topeka’s growth (and impact)

By Tommy Felts / October 10, 2025

On a special episode of Startland News’ 12-part podcast series diving deeper into Plug and Play, we explore how the Topeka-based program and its partners work to turn bold ideas into Kansas success stories. Guests includes Bret Lanz from Kansas State University’s Technology Development Institute; John G. Brown of StenCo; and Cole Ahlvers from NQV8…

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Pour decisions: Craft beverage enthusiasts add Sunday tasting event to KC’s pregame cart

By Tommy Felts / October 9, 2025

Kansas City’s roster of craft beverages — from rookies to veteran players on the scene — come to the field in a wide range of uniforms, said Jason Burton, noting there’s no better time to checkout the lineup with thirsty friends than as the Chiefs return to Arrowhead Stadium this weekend. The play: showcase Kansas…

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Back to the people: Social venture firm connects WyCo entrepreneurs with a human-centered toolkit

By Tommy Felts / October 9, 2025

Editor’s note: The following story is presented through a paid partnership with Network Kansas. An initiative built on collaboration with business boosters already embedded in urban communities is deepening Network Kansas’ impact, said Erik Pedersen, sharing how the strategy helps more readily connect entrepreneurs to available resources like loans and technical assistance. In Wyandotte County,…

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