Startups

Keenan Beasley, Venture Noire

In the Black: Why Venture Noire is bringing capital resources from Arkansas to KC’s founders of color

By Tommy Felts / September 14, 2021

It’s time Black-led companies went from over-mentored and under-resourced to well-connected and infused with capital, Keenan Beasley said, announcing plans for establishing more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems that begin, in part, with a presence in Kansas City.  “Kansas City is a very mature market,” Beasley, founder of Venture Noire, said of what he’s observed among the…

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Comeback KC Ventures launches program to fund, accelerate COVID solutions in region

By Tommy Felts / September 14, 2021

A new Kansas City-based program is recruiting 20 fellows — from among the metro’s first-time entrepreneurs and established businesses — for an effort to help accelerate innovations, products or service lines that are solving needs exposed by the pandemic. “The public health crisis posed by COVID-19 ignited a need for rapid change and innovation,” said Jim…

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Chase Higgins, Stephen Lomas, Kyle Allen and Desi Kraus, Let's Get Moving

Why this five-star moving company takes TikTok behind the scenes of its expansion

By Tommy Felts / September 10, 2021

Moving is an emotional experience for many, Chase Higgins said, which is why it is crucial for him and his team to set a positive tone during what could be a stressful day.   “A lot of people are moving because of a new job; or they are at a new school; or unfortunately, they’re going…

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Linda Ordway A-Frame cabin

PondDay — the KC-cast ‘Airbnb for private ponds and lakes’ — drops its first lure in Missouri

By Tommy Felts / September 9, 2021

Some of Parker Tergin’s favorite memories are set on a lake or pond: fishing with his grandfather, reuniting with his college buddies at one of their properties to tell stories around a bonfire, and finding peace and stillness outside the busyness of the city. “I’m surrounded by tall buildings and concrete all day downtown,” he…

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Techstars KC 2021 demo day

Techstars’ summer finale means closing investment rounds for founders, says KC leader

By Tommy Felts / September 3, 2021

Demo day is as much about looking forward as it is an examination of a startup’s journey through Techstars, Maria Flynn said, teasing new dollar deals ahead for the 2021 Kansas City cohort. “There are already a number of investment commitments coming in, so we are focused on closing the investment rounds so the companies…

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