Minority-Led

Meet three tech startup founders pitching in KC’s women-led ‘Dolphin Tank’ event

By Tommy Felts / November 4, 2022

A pitch event is set to return to Kansas City with a trio of female founders spotlighted for a panel of “dolphins.” “Springboard’s Dolphin Tank brings the power of our collective community to women entrepreneurs innovating in enterprise tech,” said Natalie Buford-Young, CEO of Springboard Enterprises. “Our Dolphin Tank events showcase exciting women-led companies and…

Founders earn innovation, Business Hall of Fame honors from Junior Achievement

By Tommy Felts / November 4, 2022

Carlos Antequera’s business roots run deep, he told a crowd gathered for his induction into Junior Achievement’s Business Hall of Fame, noting inspiration and impact from his time assisting his grandmother in her convenience store in Bolivia to current-day collaborators in Kansas City. “I’ve been very fortunate in my entrepreneurial journey to have been surrounded…

‘This is our era’: How one local streetwear brand got the ball rolling for an exclusive KC Comets collab 

By Tommy Felts / November 4, 2022

Soccer fans can kick off their weekend with a one-day-only sale of a limited-edition apparel collaboration between Kansas City’s premier indoor soccer team and its top streetwear brand, said Vu Radley. “We found this really cool, creative space with the KC Comets where we could pay homage to their vintage jerseys and mix it with…

Fund Me, KC: She’s served a community need; now LaRonda LaNear needs help filling her kitchen

By Tommy Felts / November 1, 2022

Startland News is continuing its “Fund Me, KC” series to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses or lend a helping hand to others. This is an opportunity for business owners and innovators — like LaRonda LaNear’s effort to launch a brick and mortar space for We Got It Covered Food Services — to…

Marsha Willis joins Facebook accelerator to boost 30K-strong community of Black-owned businesses, supporters

By Tommy Felts / October 29, 2022

Marsha Willis’ decade-long journey of supporting Kansas City-based, Black-owned businesses is headed to the next level — thanks to a funding infusion from Facebook and Willis’ own focused commitment to providing elevated experiences to the online community she’s built. “Our focus is to create a centralized place where we can share resources and education for…