News

Keystone launching corporate engagement accelerator to boost low-friction startup collabs

By Tommy Felts / November 20, 2025

Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem gets its fair share of positive press thanks to a decade of momentum, Kevin McGinnis noted, but the region’s ability to scale innovative ideas to their potential remains stalled because corporations and startups lack an easy on-ramp for collaboration. “We have been listening for years to the ecosystem, to the community,…

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Just funded: AltCap Your Biz cycles trio of winners from KC’s diverse hospitality scene

By Tommy Felts / November 20, 2025

Persistence pays off, said Ruben Alonso, celebrating a decade of the AltCap Your Biz Pitch Competition and its role as an energy boost for Kansas City small businesses. The latest winning founders walked away with $60,000 in checks Wednesday at Union Station. Two of this year’s top three winners were returning finalists, the AltCap CEO…

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Innovation check(s): Angels scout potential KC investments at NXTUS nano-pitch event

By Tommy Felts / November 19, 2025

A startup showcase Tuesday in the heart of Johnson County’s innovation community put impact on display as NXTUS’ Accelerate Venture Partners organized a nano-pitch event for its network of angel investors amid Global Entrepreneurship Week-Kansas City festivities. The Wichita-based entrepreneurial support organization — which has mobilized over $8.5 million for entrepreneurs in the Heartland since…

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KC favorites eye World Cup: How to become ‘the spot’ for visitors without losing KC flavor

By Tommy Felts / November 18, 2025

Even a visitor can become a repeat customer, said Dulcinea Herrera, stressing the importance of Kansas City businesses making their establishments a destination — not just a one-time stopover or accidental find — for international fans and other out-of-town guests when the FIFA World Cup arrives next summer. The goal: Win them over with intentional…

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Meet LaunchKC’s winners: $60K prize today; world headquarters in KC tomorrow

By Tommy Felts / November 18, 2025

Every iconic company headquartered in Kansas City — from Helzberg Diamonds to Hallmark — started with an entrepreneur hoping to scale a small idea into big impact, said Jim Erickson, teasing a next wave of emerging startups and the latest winners of the LaunchKC grants competition. Eight early-stage companies were announced Monday as recipients of…

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