Funding

Carlanda McKinney, Raaxo

Founder facing gender bias: Don’t call me a victim; call me investors

By Tommy Felts / March 6, 2019

It’s like pulling teeth to get key investors and resource organizations to help push female entrepreneurs forward, said Carlanda McKinney, citing implicit bias and a lack of effective support mechanisms. “I don’t think it’s intentional at all. I think it’s a byproduct,” said McKinney, co-founder of Raaxo, an online tech platform used to design and…

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University of Saint Mary

University of Saint Mary launching entrepreneur boot camp to supplement OP campus’ healthcare focus

By Tommy Felts / February 28, 2019

A new, four-week crash course in entrepreneurism is coming to the University of Saint Mary’s Overland Park campus, with officials hoping the pilot helps healthcare-focused students better connect with needed business skills. “We have a lot of wisdom to share,” said John Shultz, vice president for admissions and marketing at the university, noting a treasure…

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Kauffman Capital Access Lab

Kauffman launching Capital Access Lab investment pipeline for underserved entrepreneurs

By Tommy Felts / February 13, 2019

Every new business should have a fighting chance at success — regardless of the entrepreneur’s background, said Victor Hwang, announcing a new Capital Access Lab to address opportunity gaps in Kansas City and across the U.S. “It is up to us to collectively break down systematic barriers to entry that adversely impact people of color,…

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InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum

Nearly 30 percent of InvestMidwest applicants from Kansas City

By Tommy Felts / February 8, 2019

Young Kansas City companies are hungry for investor dollars and connections — as evidenced by dozens of metro startups and businesses applying for next month’s InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum. Of the more than 140 applications from entrepreneurs in 19 states seeking to pitch their companies, 18 hail from Kansas City, Missouri, and 10 call Overland Park…

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SPN report: KC underperformed on venture deals by $100M in 2018, despite cool jobs and connectivity

By Tommy Felts / February 7, 2019

Google Fiber infrastructure and cool tech jobs alone aren’t enough to power a vibrant startup ecosystem rich with venture-backed investments, according to a new report that takes a critical look at Kansas City’s place within the Midwest economy. “The [Kansas City] community boasts the fastest broadband speed and is competitive in most of the other…

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