Minority-Led

InvestMidwest releases startup lineup for April conference; KC companies set to pitch 

By Tommy Felts / March 14, 2024

Eight Kansas City startups are among 40 companies selected to pitch in April at InvestMidwest — reflecting not only a diversity of founder representation, but a wide range of agriculture, health, and digital technology innovations from across the Midwest, said Claire Kinlaw. “The caliber of talent and innovation among the chosen companies is truly remarkable, and…

Quick studies: These Kansans just left their college careers for $500K (and a crash course in startups)

By Tommy Felts / March 12, 2024

When a friend encouraged Aditya Joshi and Varun Verma to apply for the Y Combinator accelerator program, the Wichita natives didn’t expect to land an interview, they shared — much less get accepted. “Truly, all we had was this idea and a couple of months under our belt of just talking to different folks,” Joshi…

Siblings spin family pet into family business, capitalizing on alpaca’s plush potential

By Tommy Felts / March 12, 2024

One Wyandotte County family’s trip to a local fair inspired their interest in alpacas, but it wasn’t until they brought one of the animals home as a pet that they realized the business opportunities they’d unleashed. “That’s where the idea started of — ‘Hey, we can actually make this an Alpaca clothing company and reduce…

Black Drip releases canned cold brew as KC coffee maker leans into creative blends

By Tommy Felts / March 12, 2024

A new cold brew version from Charon Thompson’s popular Kansas City coffee brand drips with strength, the co-founder said, teasing its arrival on the market just as the metro begins to heat up for the spring. “I can’t sell hot coffee when it’s like 92 degrees,” said Thompson, recalling an experience during a Black Drip…

Food fit: Kansas City health startup attains Endeavor Heartland greenlight at first KC selection panel

By Tommy Felts / March 9, 2024

Moving forward in the process to become an Endeavor Entrepreneur builds on 18 months of momentum for the newly branded Attane Health, said founder Emily Brown. Her Kansas City-based, food- and nutrition-focused startup moved one step closer to the Endeavor designation — a move that ultimately would elevate Attane Health on a global scale —…