Woman-led

Shanti Elangovan, InquirED

VIDEO: Education startups earn $60K in LEANLAB grants at revamped Launch[ED] Day

The work doesn’t end with LEANLAB Education’s Launch[ED] Day celebration, said Katie Boody. Four of the accelerator’s fellows will continue their startups’ research thanks to $60,000 in grant investments. The entrepreneur-led education ventures took the stage Thursday to pitch their companies to the Launch[ED] crowd at Plexpod Westport Commons, as well as to describe the…

2017 Kritiq fashion show

VIDEO: Kritiq designs more emotional KC runway show with Goodwill crossover

When the Kritiq fashion show returns to the runway later this month, it will be an event styled with creativity and an intimate feel, said Mark Launiu, noting a new partnership with Goodwill stores across Kansas and Missouri. “For me, I grew up shopping at Goodwill, my family still shops at Goodwill, so it kind…

Sans Bar

Against the grain: Coworking leader bringing alcohol-free ‘Sans Bar’ pop-up concept to KC

Entrepreneur events should focus less on alcohol, and more on connections, said Melissa Saubers. “Part of my goal is to help educate and bring awareness to people who are hosting events — and also have alcohol in the workplace — to help them be more sensitive and inclusive for people who don’t drink,” said Saubers,…

Kevin Williams and Brittany Williams, WISE Power

Saudi Arabian investment pushing KC’s WISE Power into Nigeria, Japan, Middle East markets

The multimillion-dollar investment from a Saudi Arabian accelerator and capital firm is pushing WISE Power from the West Bottoms to global growth, said Kevin Williams. “The injection will allow us to expand quickly to get this technology out to the world, which was what our original intent was with WISE Power,” said Williams, founder of…

Clint Velazquez, Base Academy of Music (BAM)

VIDEO: KC startup BAM supplies soundtrack to LEANLAB’s education mission

The mission of Base Academy of Music (BAM) is clear –– help kids in Kansas City’s urban core reach their God-given potential, one note at a time, said Clint Velazquez. “Music is what got me through school,” Velazquez, founder of the academy said. “I became a music teacher later in life. Working in the suburbs,…