Posts by Tommy Felts
M25 ranking: KC gains traction against Midwest peers, but startups need more state support
Kansas City remains the “undisputed hub of startup activity in the area,” according to a new ranking by M25 — putting the City of Fountains in an enviable position as tech and startup leaders in high-priced coastal areas look for new homes in the COVID-19 era of remote work. “Zoom may be the bane of…
Read More100 requests in two hours: $100K resiliency fund closes applications for minority biz relief grants
Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial sponsor of Startland News. This report was produced independently by Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom. Overwhelming response to a new resiliency grant fund for minority-owned businesses hit by COVID-19 exposes a humbling reality, said Sarah Mote. Applications for the grants — funded by the Ewing Marion…
Read MoreToddlers and baristas: MY Play Cafe bets on playground coffee shop concept in Lee’s Summit
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, Tiffany Kim said, recalling a trip to Las Vegas that inspired her to roll the entrepreneurial dice back home in Kansas City — despite a raging pandemic. “I call it the most relaxing day of my motherhood career,” laughed Tiffany, co-founder of Lee’s Summit-based MY Play Cafe, recalling…
Read MoreEntrepreneur opening third store: Don’t let ‘buy local’ be a fad; we’re investing it all in our businesses
Conversations and social media advocacy pivot quickly, acknowledged Isaac Collins, but “shop local” should be more than just the flavor of the week as COVID-19 serves a full menu of challenges for small business owners. “The Amazons, the Walmarts, the Targets of the world, they are going to be OK,” said Collins, a serial entrepreneur…
Read MoreStartups pitching this week to earn finalists spots for ‘Mr K’ Small Biz of the Year award
Innovation-led companies are going mainstream in Kansas City with an increasing number of product, experience and tech-based startups named as candidates for the top small business prize in the city: the Mr. K Award. Such well-known names to Startland News readers as Cherry, Chicken N Pickle, Crema, Plexpod, J. Rieger & Co., McLain’s Markets, Messenger…
Read More