News

Here’s how a new data dashboard could help KCMO redirect funds to small businesses

By Tommy Felts / September 5, 2024

A new data dashboard built to better understand Kansas City’s business needs — and guide the city’s response — is not only revolutionary for the metro, said Nia Richardson, it could be the first of its kind, period. Small business advocates already are calling it a win. “I don’t know of any other city or playbook…

Modern world requires entrepreneurs to think like creatives, says KU’s Innovator in Residence

By Tommy Felts / September 5, 2024

Editor’s note: The University of Kansas’ School of Business is a partner of Startland News. LAWRENCE, Kansas — Building a skill set around creativity is critical to entrepreneurship — especially at a time when careers can be short-lived, said Josh Wexler. “Jobs are no longer for life,” explained the Innovator in Residence at the University…

Grantmaking reboot ‘just one piece of the larger puzzle’ in Kauffman Foundation reset, CEO says

By Tommy Felts / September 5, 2024

Overhauling the Kauffman Foundation’s grantmaking strategy aligns with a broader, holistic reset for the influential Kansas City organization, said Dr. DeAngela Burns Wallace, emphasizing org-wide moves to deepen the impact and dialogue sparked by its giving. “We’re still engaged in the work happening locally, regionally, and nationally,” said Burns-Wallace, president and CEO of the Ewing…

KC Current’s goalkeeper AD Franch lauded for teaming with WeCodeKC to empower urban youth 

By Tommy Felts / September 4, 2024

AD Franch is more than just a world-class athlete; she’s a true community servant, said Tammy Buckner, founder of WeCodeKC, heaping praise on the KC Current goalkeeper-turned-advocate for technology education in Kansas City. “Her passion and dedication to our students are unmatched,” said Buckner. “Through her partnership, we’ve been able to bring sports and technology…

Midwest crypto platform Normal aims to bring blockchain ‘banking’ to the mainstream

By Tommy Felts / September 4, 2024

Cryptocurrencies are poised to radically disrupt and transform monetary systems across the globe, said Joshua Blew, noting the coming financial freedom offered by such developments is closely tied to individuals’ access to the best tools and ownership of the right assets. But connecting to them in a world of banking behemoths and entrenched financial institutions…