Trio of KC fintech startups named finalists in Wichita-based NXTSTAGE pilot competition

Donald Hawkins, Griffin; Matt Moody, Bellwethr; and Jerry Workman and Parker Graham, Destiny

Three emerging fintech startups with Kansas City ties have found new entrepreneurial support southwest of the metro. Griffin, Destiny, and Bellwethr were announced as finalists in the Wichita-based, NXTSTAGE Pilot Competition, Wednesday — an effort designed to propel early-stage companies to the next stage of startup growth, largely through mentorship and connections to companies and regional…

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Student who helped pioneer Minddrive paves way for Honeywell’s first Latinx engineering scholarship

Oz Qureshi and Carlos Alonzo, Minddrive

Perseverance and transparency fueled Minddrive alum Carlos Alonzo’s award as the first recipient of Honeywell’s new four-year $20,000 Latinx engineering scholarship with guaranteed job placement upon graduation, said Oz Qureshi. Alonzo first applied for Honeywell’s engineering scholarship that has historically been allocated to African-American students and in partnership with the Black Achievers Society, said Qureshi,…

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KCMO digital equity effort aimst to boost remote learning, work access for families, entrepreneurs

Economically distressed neighborhoods in Kansas City are at a bigger disadvantage than ever before, Rick Usher said, urging residents to combat digital inclusion as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to upend the way Kansas Citians learn and work. “Today, with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing us to social distance in ways that include remote work and distance…

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Ag giant Cargill teams with Plug and Play for new Topeka accelerator, set to debut in fall

TOPEKA — Corporate food and agriculture giant Cargill has inked a deal with Plug and Play to serve as founding partner for its animal health and agtech accelerator program in Topeka.  The companies announced the news Wednesday, firming up details surrounding the launch of the long-awaited accelerator — first announced in September 2019 and originally slated to…

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