Funding

Alexa, show me the winners: Storytailor leads Pure Pitch Rally prize tally ahead of tech launch

By Tommy Felts / October 28, 2025

Storytailor’s marquee Pure Pitch Rally win comes at the perfect time for the Kansas City startup, its founders said. They’re preparing to roll out a new immersive storytelling platform through a partnership with Amazon’s Alexa+ next year — a move expected to bring their tech to more than 200 million Prime users. “It’s the most…

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Arch Grants taps homegrown founders, Missouri startup recruits for $1.6M in awards

By Tommy Felts / October 20, 2025

ST. LOUIS — The Missouri maker behind a keychain designed to save lives from opioid overdoses is among nearly two dozen companies — together awarded $1.6 million — selected for the latest Arch Grants program. The innovation economy nonprofit on Thursday honored 19 startups, alongside three new members of its expanded Arch Grants Fellows Program.…

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Power through purpose: How a winding journey led this eco devo steward to deep-rooted impact

By Tommy Felts / October 17, 2025

Editor’s note: The following story was written and first published by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri (EDCKC). Click here to read the original story. Going behind the scenes of CCED with the people who make it happen Some people are drawn to city-building because of the bricks and steel, the architecture, the skyline, the grandeur…

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KC GIFT orders a full meal with $100K Wah Gwan grant: Job creation (with a side of inspiration)

By Tommy Felts / October 7, 2025

Young people on Kansas City’s east side need to see examples of what can be achieved when someone who looks like them works hard — and wins, said Tanyech Yarbrough, pledging to use her recent grant funding from KC G.I.F.T. to mirror entrepreneurship to her community, as well as expand her Troost eatery. Yarbrough’s Wah…

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Photos: Folklore transformed this rooftop for one-night; its $100K impact on small biz lasts even longer

By Tommy Felts / October 1, 2025

A packed rooftop event that started five years ago as a small gathering among friends has grown into a sold-out celebration that not only highlights music, food, and tradition, but also invests back into local nonprofits and entrepreneurs, said Luis Padilla, founder of Folklore and its popular small business grant program. “That balance of culture…

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