Woman-led

Cybersecurity startup extends intelligence, from small biz to college (and wartime Ukraine)

By Tommy Felts / August 29, 2024

A cyber attack at a Kansas City area college pushed serial entrepreneur Conner Hazelrigg and her on-campus colleague — a decorated CIA intelligence officer-turned-cybersecurity professional — into action, the founders of Hilltop Technologies said. “When we started really looking into it, we realized how vulnerable higher education is and how soft of targets they are,” said…

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Kauffman’s new grants go live this week; here’s what we know about the revised funding priorities

By Tommy Felts / August 26, 2024

The announcement of five new grants opportunities from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation brings months of anticipation and potential uncertainty to a head, offering a more clear view into the relaunched grantmaking strategy of the influential Kansas City philanthropic organization. New applications for funding through the Kauffman Foundation open Aug. 29 — about four months…

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Digital Health KC debuts Lumi Awards with star-powered roster of tech honorees

By Tommy Felts / August 23, 2024

Healthcare is a team sport and Kansas City has all the players, said Dick Flanigan, heaping praise on the region’s innovators at the intersection of healthcare and technology. “We have key entries in every sector, allowing us to tap into these companies and individuals to truly form a winning team,” said Flanigan, president of Digital…

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ProX names equity-centered leader as first executive director of its popular student intern program

By Tommy Felts / August 22, 2024

The new leader of ProX — one of the largest paid internship programs in the country — is expected to be instrumental in taking the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation affiliate to the next level, said Dr. Bill Nicely. ProX and the Kauffman Foundation on Thursday announced the appointment of Solissa Franco-McKay —  a longtime supporter…

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Meet the cohort: ScaleUP! KC’s latest brew hits with some familiar flavors, faces

By Tommy Felts / August 22, 2024

A new group of ready-to-scale entrepreneurs — including a half dozen boosting beverage businesses — were unveiled this week as ScaleUP! Kansas City prepares to help the cohort create new jobs, open new locations and strengthen the regional economy. ScaleUP! KC’s just-announced participants hail from a diverse cross-section of industries — from home insulation to…

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