Minority-Led

Lead Bank donates $25K for OHUB.KC to support minority-led startups during ‘unprecedented times’

By Tommy Felts / March 27, 2020

The moment is now for corporate partners to support entrepreneur initiatives like OHUB.KC, said Rodney Sampson, just a day before the KC.UP minority accelerator pushes ahead with a virtual demo day to showcase its first cohort. Kansas City-based Lead Bank on Thursday announced a $25,000 donation to OHUB.KC — a joint effort between the Economic…

White House expected to endorse Kansas City-built COVID-19 exposure tracking app

By Tommy Felts / March 19, 2020

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. The White House is expected to announce its support for…

Boddle offers free access to its edtech platform as remote learning surges during COVID-19 school shutdown

By Tommy Felts / March 17, 2020

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Widespread school shutdowns because of Coronavirus (COVID-19) doubled Kansas City…

OHUB set to lose $1M+ in SXSW sunk costs, pivots to virtual experience; KC event plans in the air amid Coronavirus concerns

By Tommy Felts / March 13, 2020

Opportunity Hub is moving forward with a two-day virtual “Black and Hired” experience from its Atlanta headquarters after Coronavirus concerns prompted the cancelation of SXSW — where OHUB planned to spotlight members of its Kansas City cohort. Canceling the SXSW festival — which was expected to draw more than 400,000 to Austin over two weeks —…

One of KC’s first coworking leaders passes ownership to longtime Cowork Waldo members

By Tommy Felts / March 13, 2020

The new owners of Cowork Waldo have already seen the impact of community through one of Kansas City’s first neighborhood coworking spaces, said Melissa Saubers. “Powerhouse entrepreneurial duo” Zubin Talib and Talyn Good — who Saubers called “trusted, long-standing” Cowork Waldo members — are set to take over operations of the shared workspace April 1, she…