Latest Stories
Radar’s new pitch: How this Kansas sports tech startup spins data into speedier fastballs
When speed is the name of the game, data can be nearly as important as talent, said Jarrod Nichols, emphasizing the role his startup’s radar technology can play in helping baseball and softball athletes measure fastball performance, improve their stats, and swing for the fences. “Pitch speed has been captured since the early ’70s,” said…
Sacred sips: Alcohol-free bar on 39th Street creates healing space where ‘every drink is medicine’
Editor’s note: The following story was published by The Kansas City Defender, a nonprofit Black newsroom producing news, mutual aid and digital tools to keep Kansas City’s Black community informed and organized. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for The Kansas City Defender’s email newsletter. In a neighborhood built to keep them…
Entrepreneurs say DoorDash accelerator delivered, prepping their small businesses for tall orders ahead
Ten graduates of DoorDash’s 12-week Midwest accelerator gathered Wednesday to celebrate successes from the program, along with lessons they say will last longer than the $5,000 grants each entrepreneur received. “Running a small business is tough work, and it meant so much to receive support from DoorDash and my home of Kansas City,” said Tanyech…
KCK party store’s sales plummet because of ICE fears; It’s not the only business slowed by the crackdown
Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has many recent immigrants terrified, hunkering down and holding onto their money; That new fear and…
Couple injects $1M ‘financial good’ from RxSS exit to startup special needs initiative; they hope it’s a blueprint for KC
Michael and Brandy Rea built and successfully exited one of Kansas City’s fastest-growing health tech companies. Now the Rx Savings Solutions founders share a new prescription for impact: creating inclusive housing for adults with disabilities. Shifting from entrepreneurship to philanthropy, the Michael and Brandy Rea Family Foundation contributed a $1 million lead gift to support…
How this reality TV show helps competing entrepreneurs find their people — not just adversaries
It’s five days, 14-hour workdays, and one intense experience aimed at helping entrepreneurs sharpen their businesses. The setup for The Blox — a startup-focused reality TV competition and bootcamp — is crafted to immerse builders in the rigors of real-world business, said Weston Bergmann. Season 17 of the live-in competition show launched in June, emphasizing…
C2FO named top fintech by CNBC; leaders celebrate win, pushing toward $500B funding milestone
A Kansas City fintech’s award-winning efforts to boost working capital access for businesses across the globe not only has built trust among the world’s top enterprises, said Sandy Kemper; it’s positioned C2FO for even greater impact as it transforms the financing landscape for previously overlooked ventures. The company was honored this month as one of…
Bar K dog bar closes all locations, calling out KC riverfront construction, rising inflation
Owners of the award-winning Bar K dog bar — a popular destination for four-legged Kansas Citians and their friends — announced its closure Tuesday, after nearly a decade in business that saw the concept expand to St. Louis and Oklahoma City before suddenly shuttering all operations. “We are heartbroken to announce that Bar K will be…
Months after taking over century-old tailor shop, owner putts his new golf apparel brand in play
Even when an entrepreneur hyper-obsesses over the details, Michael Jerwick learned, opportunity isn’t always tailor-fit to the most conveniently designed timing. The Slabotsky’s owner just transplanted his century-spanning family business to River Market — a mere week before launching a brand new apparel side project. Two of the biggest moves of his career, Jerwick had…
Five lessons from investing $5 million into 50 startups in five years
Seems just like yesterday I was returning to my home state to lead NMotion powered by gener8tor. But in reality it was five years ago. I know that because two years ago I wrote a reflection on my first three years back. For those not mathematically inclined: 2+3=5. In that time span, we have invested…
