Minority-Led

Overlooked to booked: How 12 founders are opening the gate to scaling success through Pipeline Pathfinder

By Tommy Felts / January 27, 2022

The idea that someone else sees Fresh Factory KC’s potential still seems remarkable for India Wells-Carter, she said Thursday as Pipeline unveiled her business as one of 12 selected for its first-ever Pathfinder cohort — an entryway into its elite network for often-overlooked entrepreneurs. “I know I believe in my company, but it feels great to…

Pipeline unveils first-ever double cohort in bid to develop region’s next great serial entrepreneur

By Tommy Felts / January 27, 2022

Twenty-five founders are entering the Pipeline network this week, Melissa Vincent said Thursday, revealing the newest additions to its elite fellowship, as well as the just-debuted Pathfinder cohort for earlier-stage, underserved entrepreneurs. “We were blown away by the response,” said Vincent, executive director of Pipeline, noting the fall 2021 recruiting period was the most vigorous…

Yelp for DEI: New tech gives public a tool to share discrimination concerns in real-time, empowers companies to monitor, improve

By Tommy Felts / January 25, 2022

Aishah Augusta-Parham’s tech platform has a goal rooted in impact: help business owners become more mindful of diversity, equity, inclusion efforts in their day-to-day operations — better ensuring their customers do business with companies and brands that embody shared values.  “We are the Yelp of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Augusta-Parham said, detailing the mission behind…

Return on investment: Why the co-founder of tech giant Dropbox just donated $500K to Blue Valley schools

By Tommy Felts / January 21, 2022

Blue Valley schools, teachers, and students are expected to benefit greatly from a newly announced fund launched by the homegrown Johnson County tech entrepreneur who later co-founded the cloud storage giant Dropbox. Arash Ferdowsi, a 2004 graduate of Blue Valley Northwest High School, has put up $500,000 to launch the Arash Ferdowsi Fund, which benefits…

A radical new chapter: Why Danny Caine gave up 49 percent of his business to form an employee ownership collective

By Tommy Felts / January 20, 2022

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 the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. LAWRENCE…