Funding
Kauffman awards $5.3M to DreamSpring to expand microlending to underserved entrepreneurs in KC
A newly announced $5.3 million grant is expected to vastly expand access to small business credit among historically underserved entrepreneurs in Kansas City, said Philip Gaskin, detailing the latest in a series of funding awards this week from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. DreamSpring, a nationally recognized nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), is set…
Web3 startup led by one of KC’s best-known exited founders redeems $2.5M pre-seed round
Redeem, a blockchain agnostic connectivity layer for Web3 that leverages phone numbers to send, receive and redeem utility NFTs, announced Wednesday its $2.5 million pre-seed funding round ahead of its launch, led by veteran blockchain investor Kenetic. The round also includes local venture firms Flyover Capital and KCRise Fund. Funding is expected to be used…
United Way launching $2M fund with Kauffman to back nonprofits that serve people of color
A new Nonprofit Catalyst Fund is expected to help the United Way of Greater Kansas City invest in advancing small nonprofit organizations that serve Black, Latino, and other people of color in the community, said Essence Yancey. “We believe that small, nonprofit organizations within communities of color play a key role in addressing a range…
Kauffman funds help Holy Rosary pilot new lending model to boost equitable access to capital
When a traditional bank may not be able to justify lending additional funds to an entrepreneur struggling to get their business off the ground, Holy Rosary Credit Union is uniquely positioned to help people achieve that evasive upward mobility — regardless of race, gender, or geography, said Carole Wight. A $3.3 million grant from the…
Starting a small biz comes with struggle; this Topeka grants program helps cut the risk
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to Go Topeka, which seeks economic success for all companies and citizens across Shawnee County through implementation of an aggressive economic development strategy that capitalizes…
