News

Kauffman Foundation revises funding priorities to three key areas, sharing first public details of its new strategic focus

By Tommy Felts / April 30, 2024

A refreshed vision for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation aims to make Kansas City a national model for equitable economic mobility, dismantling systemic barriers and setting generations of historically under-resourced communities on the path to prosperity, according to just-released details from the influential organization. Updates to the Kauffman Foundation’s strategy come after the summer 2023…

MTC hits $50M investment milestone through its state-sponsored venture capital program

By Tommy Felts / April 30, 2024

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri — A Show-Me State program launched a decade ago to drive economic development in Missouri and support tech founders has surpassed $50 million in equity-based investments for nearly 160 Missouri-based technology startups. The Missouri Technology Corporation announced the milestone Tuesday, lauding its Innovation, Development, and Entrepreneurial Advancement (IDEA) Fund for impact that…

How Independence’s new speakeasy vibes tie into the ‘goats and rabbits’ of Kansas City’s past

By Tommy Felts / April 27, 2024

Revitalization efforts needn’t overwrite history, said Bree and Travis Gensler, whose new venture in downtown Independence aims to infuse spirits of 2024 into the historic square without losing memories of the area’s storied past. Their latest pour: The Sentinel Room. Four years ago, the couple purchased a building on Lexington Avenue that contains three commercial…

Gains you can see: StratFit’s new gym in Waldo reps digital fitness platform’s heavy lifting 

By Tommy Felts / April 27, 2024

With his NYC-inspired training studio in Waldo opening earlier this spring, Daniel McKee wants to keep busy professionals motivated to stick to their fitness goals — and use the space to refine and advance adoption of his tech platform. “Everyone that comes to the door is very impressed with the place, we tried to make…

Former college startup founders reunite for brunch concept: Why they jumped at this franchise twist

By Tommy Felts / April 25, 2024

WICHITA, Kansas — Jacob O’Connor and Jon Peterson — two former Wichita State students turned entrepreneurs — are teaming up once again, this time for brunch, they shared. The high school friends and co-founders of 618 Ventures and Player Card are partnering with a mentor to bring the upscale, Orlando-based brunch concept Another Broken Egg…