Posts by Tommy Felts
Venture for America abruptly closes; ending fellowship that matched talent with KC startups, VCs
A coast-to-coast fellowship program that sought to reinvigorate communities — including Kansas City — by pairing recent college graduates with emerging startups, investment firms, and nonprofits has unexpectedly ceased operations, leaders with Venture for America announced this week. “While this chapter for our national organization is closing, the spirit and impact of VFA will endure through…
Read MoreAward-winning chef fights eviction from 2000 Vine space; attorney calls legal action ‘last resort’
Efforts to resolve a dispute over The Prospect KC’s cafe, grocery and culinary training space at 2000 Vine Street have been fruitless, said Chef Shanita McAfee-Bryant, noting she still hopes to “achieve an equitable and reasonable resolution.” 2000 Vine Street LLC and its owner Timothy Duggan have filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of…
Read MoreOlathe company opens mini windows to the world; How Travel Stamps’ 2D souvenirs illustrate adventure
Stamp collecting has always been cool, said Erika Ring, whose niche family business connects travelers to a network of souvenir stickers for more than 1,500 bucket-list destinations across the U.S. Olathe-based Travel Stamps has printed and shipped its commemorative keepsakes from the Heartland since relocating from Moab, Utah, in 2021. The company designs as many…
Read MoreGrants competition returning with $55K for each winner; LaunchKC Liftoff applications open Aug. 14
LaunchKC leaders’ hopes and expectations for the popular competition’s grant-winning entrepreneurs go far beyond their final pitches, said Jim Erickson. “We want all of them to grow and prosper. We want, in 20 to 30 years, for us to be able to drive downtown and see skyscrapers with LaunchKC companies’ names on it, having driven…
Read MoreReport: AI could displace 110,000 Kansas City jobs; here’s who might be most at risk
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. In 2020, when Terrence Wise learned the McDonald’s where he worked would be…
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