News

PHKC earns more state funding for 811 Retail Incubator; MTC boosting small biz

By Tommy Felts / August 7, 2024

Another round of financial support from the Missouri Technology Corporation proves state economic development leaders understand that innovation also runs along main street, said Dan Smith. The Porter House KC — which just opened its 811 Retail Incubator in late July — is among seven entities just awarded a total of $1.8 million in Physical Infrastructure…

MTC just awarded $2.6M in investments; three KC tech startups earn state backing

By Tommy Felts / August 6, 2024

As Advoteck works to bring its app to market later this year, an equity investment from the Missouri Technology Corporation is expected to help the Kansas City-based startup expand its reach nationwide in the fight against cyber crime. MTC on Tuesday announced $2.6 million in investments across seven Missouri companies — primarily focused on fostering…

KC Chamber, businesses: We won’t back down from DEI initiatives; city’s top diversity advocates honored

By Tommy Felts / August 2, 2024

LeAna Flores knows those three little letters — DEI — can trigger a lot of people these days, she said. “For me, as a DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) practitioner, I live and breathe by this quote — especially in the climate that we have right now — ‘They tried to bury us, but they…

‘We are each other’s bootstraps’: Pay-It-Forward cafe says pressure to serve neighbors is back

By Tommy Felts / August 2, 2024

The reopening of Thelma’s Kitchen — a pay-it-forward restaurant on Troost Avenue — not only flips the menu on the “soup kitchen” concept, but serves as an anchor of compassionate, community-focused care in the face of neighborhood gentrification, said Father Justin Mathews. “We view what we’re doing here as kind of like urban acupressure,” said…

KC-infused Rally Gin pours capital investment into plans for expanding the brand south

By Tommy Felts / August 1, 2024

A liquor brand distilled from the vision of three Kansas City natives is expanding to Texas after landing national exposure and a key investment meant to elevate minority-owned spirit and beverage companies. Tim McCoy, co-founder of Rally Gin, shared his excitement and the impact of capital investment firm Pronghorn’s backing. “Pronghorn is just awesome. Their…