Minority-Led

We Grow KC investment summit aims to harness opportunity zones to empower neighborhood social fabric

By Tommy Felts / June 13, 2019

Investment is a two-way street that can have a positive impact on both investors and community residents, said Dianne Cleaver. A new gathering — the June 26-27 We Grow KC Opportunity Zones Investor Summit — aims to bridge the potential divide between such neighbors with the back of Cleaver’s Urban Neighborhoods Initiative, the Ewing Marion…

Local Legends unplugs Westport eSports gaming center; founder vows his vision won’t be reduced by May shooting

By Tommy Felts / June 12, 2019

The doors at 3933 Main St. are locked tight, but the startup journey once housed inside them is far from over, teased AbdulRasheed Yahaya. “Local Legends isn’t going anywhere … unless we’re talking about the video game truck. That’s going everywhere,” said Yahaya, owner of Local Legends Gaming — an eSports and gaming business that…

Venture for America fellows bringing diversity of thought to KC tech, investment firms

By Tommy Felts / June 11, 2019

Venture for America fellows are flocking to Kansas City, said Kate Loar. “Venture For America’s initial Kansas City champions: the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Pepper, KCRise Fund, and Super Dispatch set the groundwork for growth in KC,” noted Loar, VFA director in St. Louis and Kansas City. “We’re excited to expand the local VFA cohort…

$50K inclusion grant to KCMO a step toward ‘most entrepreneurial city’ for everyone

By Tommy Felts / June 8, 2019

Kansas City, Missouri, pocketed a major win for the entrepreneurial community Wednesday, becoming one of 10 cities in the nation to be selected for the City Accelerator initiative for inclusive contract procurement. The city will receive a $50,000 grant by the Citi Foundations and Living Cities to increase the opportunities for firms owned by people…

Father turns grief over son’s loss into healthtech solution for speedier medical records transfers

By Tommy Felts / June 6, 2019

Chris Jones’ quietly sunny disposition belies the hard knocks peppered throughout his past. Then again, the full-time consultant, masters candidate, and now startup founder sees all past experience as a catalyst for growth, he said. “Everything you’ve been through in life prepares you for this moment, now,” said Jones, founder of MatchRite Care. “So you…