Posts by Tommy Felts
Startup Weekend’s challenge: Build Missouri’s next billion-dollar idea (in three days)
COLUMBIA, Missouri — Budding entrepreneurs are gathering next month for a three-day business pitch event that could earn them $45,000 in prizes plus a $150,000 investment opportunity for the winning company with billion-dollar potential, organizers said. Missouri Startup Weekend returns April 11-13 at EquipmentShare’s newly opened Technology & Development Center in Columbia. It’s a unique…
Read MoreLawmaker asks SBA to relocate offices from KC to Columbia, citing sanctuary-like policies for immigrants
A Kansas City-area congressman wants the U.S. Small Business Administration to move its offices from downtown Kansas City to central Missouri, amid President Trump’s nationwide crackdown on undocumented immigrants and a broad restructuring of how the federal government works. U.S. Rep. Mark Alford, R-Missouri, on Tuesday sent a letter to SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, asking…
Read MoreMidwest-focused M25 rolls out new venture partners across region, adding high-profile STL founder
CHICAGO — An influential venture capital firm with portfolio companies in Kansas City and across the region on Thursday announced a St. Louis serial entrepreneur as the latest venture partner joining its mission to back a new generation of Midwest unicorns. Guy Friedman, co-founder and CEO of SteadyMD, brings an invaluable founder’s perspective — plus a…
Read MoreYard Milkshake Bar set to open Friday in long-vacant BK Whopper Bar at Power & Light
Kansas City is gaining a new sweet spot as the acclaimed dessert startup The Yard Milkshake Bar opens its first metro location this week in the Power & Light District — filling a long-standing hunger for the right flavor of business at PNC Plaza. “Our team works hard to curate the District with amenities that…
Read MorePhysician assistant, mom juggles healthy challenge: opening two Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchises
A new Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisee is opening not one, but two locations this spring — all while keeping her day job and raising twin 4-year-olds. Nikki Vogel is taking over 2,200-square-feet in the former Calibration Brewery building at 119 Armour Road in North Kansas City for a scheduled April 16 opening. (It will be…
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