Minority-Led

10 startups tapped for K-State accelerator; heavy emphasis on KC founders (and a chance at $100K in grants)

By Tommy Felts / February 3, 2023

MANHATTAN, Kansas — Half of the entrepreneurs in a new K-State accelerator cohort hail from Kansas City with other founders joining from Topeka, Wichita and across the nation. The Kansas State University College of Business Administration has selected 10 high-potential startup ventures for participation in the Center for Entrepreneurship Accelerator program. The program is intended…

KC-created comic’s evolution in motion as ‘Scarlet Knight’ quests toward animated streaming series

By Tommy Felts / February 2, 2023

Kansas City comic book creator Juaquan Herron is adding another chapter to his ongoing graphic novel series, “The Scarlet Knight,” though this next iteration will be even more animated. Describing the coming move as a long-expected next step, Herron announced he’s begun working on a five-episode animated video series — each about 10 minutes long…

Venboo heads to market(s), hoping to make local vendors the next Crumbl Cookies with its event booking tech

By Tommy Felts / February 2, 2023

The Venboo app — which connects individual vendors and event organizers on a single platform — will soon gain a dashboard that allows all parties to connect more seamlessly, detailed Juaquan Herron. The dashboard is expected to further streamline the user’s booking experience of Venboo, which lets vendors set criteria for events that match their…

From abandoned artifact to new Negro Leagues’ space: Why renovated Paseo YMCA now bears the name ‘Buck O’Neil’

By Tommy Felts / February 1, 2023

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s redevelopment of the old Paseo YMCA is nearly complete, according to NLBM President Bob Kendrick, who said the renovated building will help the museum share the history of the Negro Leagues with generations to come. Set to open in late spring or early summer, the Buck O’Neil Education and Research…

Meet the Midwest’s future serial entrepreneurs: Pipeline reveals 2023 fellowship, Pathfinder cohort

By Tommy Felts / February 1, 2023

Nearly 30 of the region’s most promising founders now have access to an industry-agnostic network that focuses solely on serial high-growth entrepreneurs — without taking equity in the startups it serves, said Melissa Vincent. Pipeline Entrepreneurs on Tuesday officially announced its new roster of high-profile fellows, as well as members of its latest Pipeline Pathfinder…