Startups

Laura Manivong, Fattyhead Keto Crust

Keto crust on the rise: Fattyhead bakes ingredients for expansion into new distribution deals

By Tommy Felts / December 14, 2019

Laura Manivong is feeding a hunger for keto diet-friendly pizza crusts that already stretches to freezer aisles across the metro — with stores and distributors salivating for more. “Out of the blue, I just called Sam Paris and Paris Brothers,”  Manivong, founder and CEO of Fattyhead Keto Crust, said of how a recent distribution deal…

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Isaac Collins, Yogurtini

Pivoting back to a full-time franchise hustle: ‘Worst thing you can do is stop,’ Yogurtini owner says

By Tommy Felts / December 12, 2019

Running a franchise can require as much passion and perseverance as any other entrepreneurial endeavor — including those in the startup space, said Isaac Collins. Would-be business owners shouldn’t get caught up in the jargon of what is and isn’t “real” hustle when trying to craft a livelihood for themselves or their families, he said. A…

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Nathan Kurtz, Brush Creek Partners; Drew Solomon, Economic Development Council of Kansas City, Missouri; Tommy Wilson and Mike Hurd, Downtown Council of Kansas City

LaunchKC, Brush Creek unveil InsureTech accelerator led by longtime startup advocate

By Tommy Felts / December 11, 2019

The latest LaunchKC-powered industry accelerator aims to bring a new wave of technology Kansas City’s insurance community, said Nathan Kurtz. “There’s a rich heritage of insurance in Kansas City,” said Kurtz, COO of Brush Creek Partners, announcing the bcp tech InsurTech Accelerator, which teams Brush Creek with TechAssure and LaunchKC. “Brush Creek’s purpose is to…

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Don Peterson, Launch Health demo day

Packed demo day at Alamo Drafthouse caps inaugural Launch Health Accelerator 

By Tommy Felts / December 10, 2019

More than 200 investors and entrepreneurs attended the recent Demo Day for the Launch Health Accelerator powered by Nueterra Capital. Demo Day marked the conclusion of the 75-day accelerator and featured presentation pitches from each of the six cohort companies.  After a short networking reception in the Chesterfield bar inside the Alamo Drafthouse Kansas City,…

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Clarence Tan and Edna Martinson, Boddle Learning

Boddle scores $25K AT&T Aspire audience award thanks to tough love on duo’s most difficult pitch

By Tommy Felts / December 9, 2019

Just because a pitch is tough doesn’t mean it won’t payoff, said Clarence Tan.  “Smiles will take you miles,” Tan, CEO and cofounder of Boddle Learning, said of his and co-founder Edna Martinson’s latest pitch at the AT&T Pitches and Purpose contest in San Francisco — the pair’s most difficult presentation to date, they said…

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