News

After expanding West Bottoms production, Convivial shaping new botanical concept in Crossroads

By Tommy Felts / February 7, 2019

Bootstrapped design and manufacturing company Convivial is reaching out with a clay-covered hand from its West Bottoms production space to plant a Crossroads retail concept, said Chentell Shannon. “I feel grateful and I feel honored and excited and scared — I mean, growing a business is scary,” laughed Shannon, founder of Convivial. Having delivered handmade…

SPN report: KC underperformed on venture deals by $100M in 2018, despite cool jobs and connectivity

By Tommy Felts / February 7, 2019

Google Fiber infrastructure and cool tech jobs alone aren’t enough to power a vibrant startup ecosystem rich with venture-backed investments, according to a new report that takes a critical look at Kansas City’s place within the Midwest economy. “The [Kansas City] community boasts the fastest broadband speed and is competitive in most of the other…

CB Insights calls KCRise most active VC in Kansas; Fund credits work of small team, innovative portfolio startups

By Tommy Felts / February 7, 2019

Kansans don’t fear hard work, said Darcy Howe. An investment in such a mindset has come with big returns for the KCRise Fund, newly proclaimed the most active venture capital fund in the Sunflower State, according to CB Insights. “Perhaps overused but Margaret Mead’s quote, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens…

Overland Park-based CAPS education network launching cross-cultural program in India

By Tommy Felts / February 6, 2019

The Center for Advanced Professional Studies’ (CAPS) first international affiliate program in India has the potential to break down geographic barriers to provide students with exposure to real workplace experiences on a global stage, said Corey Mohn. “I think [the American School of Bombay] is really the perfect partner to get started with,” said Mohn,…

New $750K investment round for Lula comes with partner in apartment management

By Tommy Felts / February 5, 2019

Closing a $750,000 seed round is even more impactful with a strategic partner like Worcester Investments, said Lula founder Bo Lais. “We did have three other private investors, that were minority investors with two of them local, but it’s [become] more than just investment with [with Worcester],” said Lais, CEO of the Overland Park-based home…