News

Report: Missouri is a top 10 state to launch a business

By Tommy Felts / July 5, 2017

A recent study dubbed Missouri as one of the top 10 states to start a business. The report was assembled by personal finance website WalletHub and aimed to determine which region held the most fertile grounds for launching an enterprise. Evaluating all 50 states’ business environments, access to resources and business costs, the report ranked…

The clock is ticking: LaunchKC grants’ deadline is Friday

By Tommy Felts / July 5, 2017

Startups in Kansas City and beyond have about 48 hours to apply for LaunchKC grants. The contest — which will allocate $500,000 via nine grants to startups from around the nation — will accept applications until 11:59 p.m., July 7. LaunchKC will dish out eight $50,000 grants and one $100,000 grand prize. The final round…

Events Preview: First Wednesdays, diversity and inclusion

By Tommy Felts / July 5, 2017

There are a plethora of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter, or curious community member — we recommend these upcoming events for you. Are you hosting a relevant community event? Feel free to add it to the FWD/KC calendar for increased exposure. Once your event…

KCultivator Q&A: Arts champion and fiery uke player Erin McGrane talks Victor & Penny, prejudices, spreadsheets

By Tommy Felts / July 5, 2017

Editor’s note: KCultivators is a new, lighthearted profile series we’re kicking off to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Check out our features on SEED Law’s Adrienne Haynes, Code Koalas’ Robert Manigold,  Prep-KC CEO Susan Wally and community builder Donald Carter. You’re most likely familiar with Erin McGrane when a ukulele accompanies…

ESHIP Summit recap: Largest-ever meeting of ecosystem builders convenes to forge new economic model

By Tommy Felts / June 30, 2017

At times regarded as a buzzword whose definition is as variable as a startup’s valuation, the concept of entrepreneurial ecosystems received stalwart validation last week when the largest gathering of leaders cultivating such communities met in Kansas City. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s ESHIP Summit culled more than 400 entrepreneurial ecosystem builders from around the…