Minority-Led

Victor Hwang leaving Kauffman VP role; entrepreneurship becomes national priority ahead of 2020 political cycle

By Tommy Felts / August 5, 2019

Ecosystem building has risen to the national conversation — marking the right moment for Victor Hwang to exit the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and its vision-rich entrepreneurship team, he said.  “A few years ago, people would talk about supporting entrepreneurs as if they were disconnected individuals … helping one entrepreneur at a time or maybe…

Super Dispatch expands reach into auto transport, launches car shipping platform

By Tommy Felts / August 1, 2019

The “Amazon experience” is coming to the world of car shipping as Super Dispatch launches a new platform to bring the auto transportation industry up to the speed companies are demanding: now, said Bek Abdullayev. “We are creating a better way to transport cars with new technology that solves major problems for shippers and carriers,”…

‘Queer Eye’ hero paints an ‘inner circle’ for young Latino artists craving a creative outlet

By Tommy Felts / August 1, 2019

Deanna Munoz’s childhood dream to become an artist — once faded and long forgotten — was revived years later by her 6-year-old daughter, said Munoz, founder of the Latino Arts Foundation.   “I wanted to be a graphic designer, but I kind of got caught up in a lot of different things when I was young…

Inclusion Open funding helps Determination Incorporated reunite KCSourceLink alums

By Tommy Felts / July 31, 2019

Within days of securing funding from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s Inclusion Open, Determination Incorporated is expanding its team, the nonprofit announced Wednesday.  “We are so thankful to the Kauffman Foundation and excited to announce that Leslie Walton, an experienced entrepreneurial ecosystem builder in KC, is joining the team in support of our mission,” Johnny…

Kauffman Inclusion Open: Six KC grant winners ‘building an inclusive pathway to entrepreneurship’

By Tommy Felts / July 27, 2019

Plans to educate, inspire, and assist entrepreneurs traditionally left out of small business conversations will ramp up for the Porter House KC — thanks to new support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s inaugural Inclusion Open.  “We are so excited to be selected as one of this year’s grant recipients,” said Dan Smith, co-founder of the…