Government

Still in the game: 16 startups advance in Kansas pitch tournament; courting a new style of seed funding

By Tommy Felts / March 17, 2025

WICHITA — And then there were 16. Monday’s pitch competition announcement served up sweet news for more than a dozen Kansas startups as local founders learned they’re advancing in the Gamechangers & Champions “Bracket Bash for Innovators and Angels” — a tournament-style event set to end with a $20,000 grand prize. The just-released list of…

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Lawmaker asks SBA to relocate offices from KC to Columbia, citing sanctuary-like policies for immigrants

By Tommy Felts / March 13, 2025

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…

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Roster filled: 32 Kansas startups march into Round 2 of tourney-style pitch competition

By Tommy Felts / March 12, 2025

WICHITA — Nearly three dozen Sunflower State startups are vying for $20,000 in prize money — and courting the attention of investors — as they advance to the second round of an innovative, state-backed pitch competition set amid the excitement of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. NXTUS on Tuesday announced the initial 32 companies advancing…

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Kansas legislation banning DeepSeek passes to state Senate after swell of support in House

By Tommy Felts / March 11, 2025

Editor’s note: This article was written for a class at the University of Kansas’ William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications and distributed through the Kansas Press Association. [divide] TOPEKA — A bill seeking to ban DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence chatbot, from state devices has advanced in the Kansas Legislature. HB 2313…

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What comes after the World Cup? Leaders ponder KC’s next phase (and how to get there)

By Tommy Felts / March 7, 2025

Editor’s note: The following is the first in a four-part series exploring the verticals and impact of initiatives within the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City through a paid partnership with EDCKC. [divide] EDCKC leader: Tapping Kansas City’s full potential requires coordinated eco devo strategy across region Tracey Lewis has lived and worked in some…

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