News

Becca Castro redesigned, rebooted LaunchKC; now she’ll lead KCSourceLink, one of KC’s premier startup champions

By Tommy Felts / August 13, 2024

KCSourceLink’s new director and network builder brings more than two decades of experience and a shared passion for helping aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs grow their businesses, leaders of the organization said Tuesday. Becca Castro, who most recently led LaunchKC from within the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City (EDCKC), begins the role Aug. 19. “I’m…

Venture for America abruptly closes; ending fellowship that matched talent with KC startups, VCs

By Tommy Felts / August 9, 2024

A coast-to-coast fellowship program that sought to reinvigorate communities — including Kansas City — by pairing recent college graduates with emerging startups, investment firms, and nonprofits has unexpectedly ceased operations, leaders with Venture for America announced this week. “While this chapter for our national organization is closing, the spirit and impact of VFA will endure through…

Award-winning chef fights eviction from 2000 Vine space; attorney calls legal action ‘last resort’

By Tommy Felts / August 9, 2024

Efforts to resolve a dispute over The Prospect KC’s cafe, grocery and culinary training space at 2000 Vine Street have been fruitless, said Chef Shanita McAfee-Bryant, noting she still hopes to “achieve an equitable and reasonable resolution.” 2000 Vine Street LLC and its owner Timothy Duggan have filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of…

Grants competition returning with $55K for each winner; LaunchKC Liftoff applications open Aug. 14

By Tommy Felts / August 7, 2024

LaunchKC leaders’ hopes and expectations for the popular competition’s grant-winning entrepreneurs go far beyond their final pitches, said Jim Erickson. “We want all of them to grow and prosper. We want, in 20 to 30 years, for us to be able to drive downtown and see skyscrapers with LaunchKC companies’ names on it, having driven…

Report: AI could displace 110,000 Kansas City jobs; here’s who might be most at risk

By Tommy Felts / August 7, 2024

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Kansas City PBS/Flatland, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, The Kansas City Beacon, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story. In 2020, when Terrence Wise learned the McDonald’s where he worked would be…