Minority-Led

Meet 13 small businesses leading the way on DEI as Chamber’s Equity Award finalists

By Tommy Felts / June 16, 2021

Some of Kansas City’s youngest companies and startups are among the most committed to achieving DEI goals in the workforce, the Chamber said this week, releasing finalists for its 2021 Small Business Equity Award. The contenders: 13 leading businesses — ranging from lifestyle brands and tech startups to a Kansas City talent agency and an addiction…

Girls in ‘tough-boy’ jobs: Young welders torch outdated beads on what’s possible

By Tommy Felts / June 15, 2021

Vanessa Bello and Adriana Figueroa feel a rush of adrenaline as they gear up in their welding uniforms and watch their blueprints come to life — it’s a feeling everyone deserves to experience, regardless of gender, they shared.  “It’s all dark but you see this little light while welding; then when you take off your…

Menufy’s online ordering platform helped restaurants survive 2020; now the KC-built company is serving a scale up

By Tommy Felts / June 15, 2021

The startup course has been cleared for Leawood-plated Menufy as the tech company emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic ready to serve its customers a new identity while doubling down on its decade-old mission to empower restaurateurs. “The pandemic initially complicated things, then accelerated things and kept things complicated. … We don’t really think of ourselves…

Clara Biotech hits $850K in seed funding roundup, preparing to launch first product

By Tommy Felts / June 15, 2021

An emerging biotech startup in the region is reporting a busy spring with a significant seed round already raised and key steps under way to launch its product: a solution that removes manufacturing roadblocks for breakthrough drugs. “We’re in an exciting and growing space and currently have low regulatory hurdles in the research stage,” said…

Thank you, Black America! Juneteenth pop-up rallies power of KC’s Black creatives

By Tommy Felts / June 11, 2021

A celebration of Black America — and the critical work it’s done to begin breaking systemic cycles nationwide — is expected to launch soon in Kansas City, promising to shine a light on Black-owned businesses and creators, Kearra Johnson said.  “As young, Black entrepreneurs in the city, we’ve been looking for ways to get our brands…